During the ongoing pandemic a wide range resources are available to support your health and wellbeing.
- NHS Inform has a lot of useful links to information sources including NHS 24, the Scottish Government and Ready Scotland. This page is a great resource for keeping you informed, connected and healthy.
- Clear Your Head Scotland has a range of tips and ideas to help you keep a clear head during these uncertain times.
- Mental Welfare Commission has advice for people using services and their family/carers.
- Online Therapy Sessions are now available where people can watch video clips, complete exercises and learn CBT techniques that can help with depression and anxiety. Anyone who wants to be referred to the programme should contact their local GP practice.
Alcohol Advice – If you are you worried about your own or someone else’s drinking during the coronavirus outbreak visit nhsinform.scot/covid-19-alcohol-advice for support and advice.
Drug Use Concerns – If you are concerned about your substance use or someone else’s, visit nhsinform.scot/covid-19-drug-advice for details of support services.
Stop Smoking support – People who smoke are more likely to suffer from health issues and can also suffer more harmful symptoms from a COVID-19 infection. If you have concerns about smoking and would like help to quit visit nhsinform.scot/covid-19-tobacco-advice.
Talk to Someone
- The Samaritans are providing over the phone support to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can call them free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.
- Breathing Space are also available Mon-Thurs 6pm to 2am and Fri 6pm-Mon 6am and you can contact them free on 0800 83 85 87.
Adults, Parents, Children and Young People
- Age Scotland provides support to older people and can be contacted Mon to Fri, 9am-5pm on 0800 12 44 222.
- Young Scot – Find out more about what’s happening and the simple steps you can take to help prevent catching COVID-19 and spreading to others. Also find out more about what you can do if you are feeling anxious and worried, and how you can support others in your community.
- Childline has a dedicated coronavirus page which includes advice on how to cope if you are staying at home. Please also note that Childline have reduced their hours of operation and their phone line/online chat service is now available 9.00am – midnight.
- Parent Club now features a dedicated coronavirus hub offering advice and support to parents as they face the many
challenges of this pandemic. - Advice for parents during coronavirus – this poster has some usual information in the event of your child becoming unwell from a non-coronavirus illness.
- The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child – A guide for children and young people.
- The Breastfeeding Network and Unicef – Resources on breastfeeding and early relationship building with parents.
- First Steps Nutrition – Information and resources to support eating well from pre-conception to five years.
Looking After Yourself
- Our Nutrition pages have lots of national and local signposting information about healthy eating and nutrition.
- Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland have an advice line for people to get help and you can call their volunteer team on 0808 801 0899.
- Our Choose to Lose pages having useful information for staying fit and healthy during this time. The What’s on in my local area? section has links to various physical activity programmes in your area.
Financial Advice and Support
Scotland’s Citizens Advice Helpline provides money and welfare advice and can be contacted on: 0800 028 1456. For local advice and support contact:
- Falkirk – Phone: 01324 626070
- Stirling – Phone: 01786 470239
- Alloa – Phone: 01259 219404
CSREC Wellbeing Emergency Grant – funding is available to financially support those from ethnic minority communities who are struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please contact meghan@csrec.org.uk if you are interested in applying.