Every Life Matters

Looking After Yourself

A message from our partner Every Life Matters about maintaining a Good Positive Mental Health during these times

Earlier this season, we teamed up with Every Life Matters to support Them in Getting their messages across to the grassroots football community.

Every Life Matters provides local Community Action, Raises Awareness, offers a Training Programme, Focussed Intervention and Community Support.

 Every Life Matters

An Updated Message During Lockdown 2 

Covid-19 continues to have an unprecedented impact on our emotional wellbeing. With second lockdown well underway its vital to be aware of how to maintain good positive mental health. 

The Guide to looking after yourself and others contains practical information about things you can do now to look after your mental health and wellbeing, and how you can support others.

Covid-19 has impacted on many of the normal coping strategies we use to deal with stress, and on the everyday activity that underpins our emotional wellbeing, so it’s important to spend a little time each day focusing on your mental health. 

Ian Alcock from Every Life Matters says:

“Maintaining wellbeing/mental health can seem difficult at times but its often really simple things that help improve our mood,  like getting out the house for a long walk, spending a bit of time getting creative, talking about your worries, getting plenty of sleep or even just distracting ourselves with a boxset binge. It’s so important to just take that time for yourself and not feel guilty about it”

Its also important to acknowledge that some people will feel overwhelmed. If you are worried about a friend, neighbour or even yourself, reach out for professional help, its still available and its ok to ask for support.  

Ian continues:  “We know that times are tough right now, and for some this may lead to thoughts of suicide. But whatever your situation things can get better. There is the lifeline of help and support available if you reach out.” 


Ian Alcock – 074748 08761 ian.alcock@every-life-matters.org.uk

Every Lofe Matters Guide

Download: Guide to Looking After Yourself & Others


Support

If you have been affected by any of the information contained within this article, or are having thoughts of suicide, the following helplines are here to support you. 

Samaritans – Call 116 123 – There round the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

PAPYRUS – Call 0800 068 41 41 – Support line for young people at risk of suicide. Various opening hours.

CALM – Call 0800 58 58 58. Men’s Helpline open 5pm – Midnight

Shout Crisis Text Service – Text Shout to 85258 to get 24/7 text support

Young Minds Crisis Text Service – Text YM to 85258 to get instant support

MindLine Cumbria – 0300 561 0000 Mental health information, guidance and support. Various opening hours.

For more information about where to get help when you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or how you can support someone at risk, visit https://www.every-life-matters.org.uk/find-support/ 

We can all play a role in helping people whose mental health at risk.

The smallest displays of kindness, like picking up the phone to check-in on someone, and the conversation that follows, could make the difference. You don’t need to solve their problems and knowing someone cares could be enough to get them through. And perhaps even save a life.

There are often warning signs that someone is having thoughts of suicide.

What someone is saying, how they are behaving, and what is happening in their lives. Visit https://www.every-life-matters.org.uk/woried-about-someone/ today to find out what they are, and what all of us can do to support someone with thoughts of suicide.

Encourage someone with thoughts of suicide to reach out for support.

There are lots of organisations who can help people in financial difficulties. Visit https://www.every-life-matters.org.uk/get-help/ for more information. You can even help them by supporting them at meetings, or helping devise an action plan to move forward.

reach out and talk