Welcome to Hartlepool & East Durham Mind blog.
If you need to talk, then call us on phone 01429 269303, Facebook (Hartlepool and East Durham Mind, Mindskills Recovery College) or twitter @HartlepoolMind, to get some advice or share what’s going on for you at the moment.
Keeping things bottled up or not speaking because you feel like what you say doesn't make sense, can be really harmful. Once you can talk, get things out in the open, they can become a lot more manageable. We are here for you, to work with you and hopefully make you feel your situation is more manageable - so read the blog if you’d like or talk to us in some other way, we want to know how you are.
If you are making a referral to us, please use the email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If things are very difficult, then click the “need urgent help” button above, to get relevant advice and numbers.
Also, please do use the helplines that pop up on this site to ask for a little extra support if you need it. We are all only human and needing help is totally fine, and at the same time, maybe you can think about how you might be able to help someone else today. You could be just the person someone else needs!
As we all keep following guidelines on self isolation for those with symptoms and in higher risk categories; washing hands, keeping hands away from face, etc. things are moving at a pace.
Check the site on Monday for new activities and things to get involved in but in the meant time stay safe. Keep reaching out to people and connecting, maybe with a 6 foot gap between you in the open air or by phone, email, zoom, FaceTime - let people know you are there for them and share the many good things that we still have together.
Next week we will be posting more about Personal Safety Planning, which all NHS staff are already being recommended to do, but you can also find out more about this on www.stayingsafe.net (this is also a great site if you, or anyone you know, are having a very difficult time and struggling to know what to do).
We will also be posting information about what other organisations are doing that you might find helpful as well as resources if you are self isolating or may need to.
Also over the weekend, or at any other time, please remember to click the button at the top of this page if you find yourself needing urgent help.
Remember people, this is a long run, not a sprint, it is going to take a little time to get through this, so lets's pace ourselves and do some self care. Don't spend too long watching the news, it can blind us to all the loveliness around us, and take time to smile at people and enjoy the first signs of a beautiful spring
Hi Everyone
We trust you are all trying to preserve safe personal space to avoid the spreading of the virus, remember this will slow or stop the virus and protect many people. Wash your hands and try not to touch your face when out and about, as this is a way the virus can spread to you.
That said, lets talk about what we are all trying to do to get through this:
We are working with lots of other organisations trying to patchwork a range of support for those most at risk and those most vulnerable in these challenging times.
We are currently redesigning our services to ensure everyone who needs us is able to access support in one way or another:
There will be virtual services
There will be Phone and Video contact
Some groups will be going ahead, these will mostly be small and only happen where we can preserve safe personal space (also following strict health and hygiene protocols). However there is also opportunities for us to meet out doors (still preserving safe personal space) to go for walks, have icecream and chats and to plan other ways to stay connected!
We are also encouraging everyone to join local community WhatsApp groups to help each other in your neighbourhoods, connect to other groups offering help and support, volunteer to help if you can and do everything possible to show love and kindness (so no fighting over toilet rolls people!)
Keep an eye on our website, facebook and twitter feeds and we’ll see you soon
To all those wanting and needing us now and in the weeks to come:
Business continues but with a difference, some sessions or activities may be changed so check in by phone
But please remember, you are not alone, we will be posting ways to stay in touch and keep connected no matter where you are
Keep your eye on this site and remember to look out for friends and neighbours - they need you too
Remember to wash hands thoroughly, avoid touching your face and if you have symptoms separate yourself physically if you can, but let others know so we can make sure you are ok and have food as well as the other things you might need
Please try to follow official guidance and let’s look after each other with love and kindness