Mental Health Resources During COVID-19

CONNECT - A collaboration between Swansea University and University of Wales Trinity Saint David, CONNECT aims to reduce loneliness and isolation amongst students.

Student Space is here to make it easier for you to find the support you need during the coronavirus pandemic.

Building Wellbeing during COVID-19 Workbook (PDF, 6MB) by the Genial Science team at Swansea University.

Coping with Coronavirus by Trainee Clinical Psychologists from University College London.

How to look after your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak by Mental Health Foundation.

Various Articles published by The Psychologist.

Coping with anxiety about Coronavirus podcast by Let’s Talk About CBT.

Advice for the public by The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). 

Resources for Coronavirus by Psychology Tools.

Coronavirus and your wellbeing by MIND.

Resources on Coronavirus by Student Minds.

Maintaining Health and Wellbeing During a Pandemic by Kings College London.

Approaching Coronavirus with Compassion by Libratum, a practice of Chartered Clinical Psychologists.

FACE Covid – How to respond effectively to the Corona crisis PDF and YouTube video by Dr Russ Harris, author of The Happiness Trap.  

Living with Anxiety and Worry Amidst Global Uncertainty PDF by Psychology Tools.

The ABCD of Coronavirus Anxiety by Dr Emma Svanberg.

OCD and Coronavirus Survival Tips by OCD UK.

Tips and Strategies to Cope with Anxiety and Coronavirus by BACP.

NHS Covid-19 Anxiety Tips by Every Mind Matters, NHS.

Coronavirus anxiety: how to cope if you're feeling anxious about the outbreak by BACP.

Psychological Coping in Social Isolation by American Psychological Association.

Looking after your Mental Health in Social Isolation by BACP.

How to look after your self-care during Coronavirus by BACP.

The Psychological Impact of quarantine and How to Reduce It by The Lancet. 

Managing your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak by Rethink Mental Illness.

Eating Disorders and Coronavirus by Beat.

Coronavirus resources and online forum for autistic people and families by National Autistic Society.

Guidance for the Public on the Mental Health and Wellbeing Aspects of Coronavirus from the GOV.UK website.

This section contains a wide range of online courses and workbooks that are designed to improve wellbeing and develop strategies for managing difficulties and distress. These courses have been developed by professionals using a variety of evidence-based psychological approaches. Please be aware that these resources are not intended as a replacement for specialist assessment and support.  If you have concerns about the appropriateness of these courses for you, please consult a medical, mental health, or therapy professional.

Centre for Clinical Interventions provide cognitive behavioural workbooks to self-manage problems with anxiety, appearance concerns, bipolar disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, depression, distress tolerance, eating disorders, generalised anxiety and worry, health anxiety, interpersonal problems, panic, perfectionism, procrastination, self-compassion, self-esteem, sleep, social anxiety, and unhelpful thinking styles.

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust have published workbooks of cognitive behavioural techniques to manage problems of stress, anger, anxiety, panic, obsessive compulsive disorder and phobias.

Exeter University have published free self-help workbooks for managing worry, facing fears, problem solving, goal setting and managing depression based on cognitive behavioural principles.

Body & Soul's MindSET Livestream, a live, weekly 45 minute session that helps provide DBT skills to young people in emotional distress.

Mental Health Foundation provides information, self-help guides and podcasts on mental health and mindfulness.

Togetherall offers free mental health information, support, and a forum for students with mental health issues to support each other.

Living Life to the Full offer free and paid courses to help tackle problems of low mood and anxiety following a cognitive behavioural approach.

Mood Gym is an interactive online self-help web resource aimed at helping people self-manage common mental health issues.

Mood Juice provide self-help booklets on managing a range of psychological difficulties.

The Royal College of Psychiatry provide information on a very wide range of mental health problems, and also provide guidance on access assessment and treatment.

MIND charity provide information and brief guides to managing and getting support for a wide range of mental health issues.

Students Against Depression offers information about depression and a forum for peer support with other UK students experiencing depression.

AMOSSHE the student services organisation have a collection of guides to promote emotional balance and resilience.

Mindfulness for Students provides information and guidance on developing a mindfulness practice. Mindfulness has been shown to improve mood and concentration.

Headspace provides a mindfulness mobile phone app where you can access a free 10 day programme of mindfulness audio guides.

James Clear is author of the bestselling book “Atomic Habits” and provides a free guide to tackling procrastination.

Good Universities Guide to procrastination and the Pomodoro Method.

BEAT Provide information and guidance on difficulties with eating or for people with an eating disorder.

Mental Health Matters host free weekly online support groups for people who have concerns about self harm, anxiety and depression, eating disorders and LGBTQ+ issues. They also provide information and advocacy.

Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 Toolkit by Holly Blake and Fiona Bermingham, University of Nottingham.

Managing Healthcare Workers' Stress PDF by National Center for PTSD.

Health for Health Professionals Wales is a free, confidential service available to all Health Professionals and Healthcare Students working in NHS Wales.

Resources for Psychological and Therapeutic Professionals:

Guidance for Psychological Professionals during Covid-19 PDF by BPS.

Oxcadat Resources

BABCP Resources

Supporting Student Mental Health by Office for Students.

 Online CPD Podcasts:

Psychiatry CPD

Guidance for Staff Remote Working:

Effective therapy via video - top tips PDF by BPS.

Telephone work at the end of the world blog post by notaguru.

Looking After Your Wellbeing Whilst Working From Home by BACP.

Guidance on Remote Supervision by BABCP.

Guidance on Delivering Remote Therapy by BABCP.

Guide to Remote Working in Coronavirus Pandemic by IAPT.

NHS Information Governance Links:

Information governance

Urgent Help

If you feel that you urgently need help with your difficulties, it is important that you contact your GP, visit your nearest hospital emergency department or call NHS Wales on 111 or 999 if very urgent, to access any statutory care and support you may need.

Helplines

If you need information on mental health, or are worried, upset or confused, or you just want to talk to someone, the NHS provide a list of free and confidential helplines.

For information and guidance about drug use, you can Talk to Frank.

Mental Health Support in Wales

To access mental health support, counselling or therapy in Wales, please contact your GP. NHS mental health services in Wales can only be accessed by a referral from your GP or another healthcare professional. During the COVID-19 pandemic most GP surgeries are open to telephone enquiries and consultations.

The charity MIND provide local support services for people experiencing problems with mental health throughout Wales, and can also signpost you to further support services available in your area. Visit the MIND CYMRU website.

Mental Health Support in England

To access mental health support, counselling or therapy in England, please contact your GP, or enter your postcode in the following links to find out your local services and contact them directly.

Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) Services provide assessment and psychological therapy for people experiencing all types of anxiety, trauma and depression. IAPT services accept self-referrals online and by phone, and during the Covid-19 pandemic are continuing to provide assessment and support online and by telephone.  They can also signpost you to further support services available in your area. Find your local service.

If you would like support with alcohol problems, find your local services.

If you would like support with drug use, find your local service.

You may also find helpful advice and support with these organisations:

Change Grow Live

We are With You

MIND and Rethink provide local support services for people experiencing problems with mental health throughout England, and can also signpost you to further support services available in your area.

Mental Health Support in Scotland

To access mental health support, counselling or therapy in Scotland, please contact your GP, or use the NHS Inform Service Directory to find services local to you.

Local Support Services

Swansea Council for Voluntary Service have produced a directory of local and national support services covering a wide range of issues, more information can be found on their website.

Covid-19 Guidance from the Royal College of Psychiatrists

https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/about-us/responding-to-covid-19/covid-19-and-mental-health