A mental health champion has urged people in Cheshire to look out for each other and seek help if they need it amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
In support of Mental Health Awareness Week, Chris Lynch, a governing body lay member for NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), stressed the ongoing importance of “kindness and compassion”.
He also pointed to a number of services in place locally to support people. And he added: “It is really positive that a 24/7 mental health crisis line was fast-tracked to support people amid the Covid-19 crisis.
“Staying at home and practicing social distancing has been difficult for many of us, but it is vital that people continue to access the care and support they need, when they need it.
“It is also heartening to see the many acts of compassion and kindness which are helping people throughout the Covid-19 response.”
Six community-based, self-referral crisis beds are also now in place across Cheshire for people experiencing a mental health crisis and in need of support and a place of safety.
The CCG says those beds are part of a “string of improvements” made to mental health services following a public consultation on proposals to redesign care for people suffering serious, long-term ill health.
Other developments have included £4.5million investment in two new state-of the-art inpatient mental health wards in Macclesfield.
Chris added: “We’re in unprecedented times and any one of us can experience mental health issues at some time. You’d seek treatment if you broke your leg, and it shouldn’t be any different for your mental health.
“I’ve experienced anxiety, depression and manic episodes on and off for the last 30 years and it’s been the help from the community and peer support that has made the biggest single difference on a day-to-day basis.
“Like my colleagues at the CCG, I’m passionate about working with people and communities to help improve the health and care of everyone in Cheshire.”