Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust is launching a campaign to raise awareness of how people can look after their mental wellbeing this winter, as well as advice on how to support loved ones when they are struggling. The campaign is aiming to reach people who might not be aware of where they can go for help.
Although the festive period can be fun, it can be common for people to feel particularly lonely, stressed or worried as life gets more hectic, nights get darker, and the air gets colder. The Trust wants to spread the word to everyone that no matter how negative a situation may seem, help is at hand.
As the world gears up for Christmas and gets busy with family, shopping and parties, it can be easy to start neglecting your own personal wellbeing. As well as that, darker nights, colder weather and hectic schedules can often make people feel increasingly isolated or lonely.
We want people to know that they don’t have to feel like this. We, and many others, are here to help – be it with tips on looking after yourself, a supportive ear or help in finding more specialist support.
Through this campaign, we hope to make it easier for people to seek out help and support should they need it.
Karen O’RourkePatient Information Manager at CNTW
The Trust is sending information leaflets and posters to locations across Cumbria and the North East, including GP surgeries, libraries, universities, job centres and sports clubs.
The campaign also includes a series of posters and drip mats which are being distributed to 20 popular pubs and bars across the north of England. Venues featuring the campaign include The Union Rooms and Trillians in Newcastle; The Central in Gateshead; Victoria Gardens in Sunderland; The Four Ladies in Cramlington; The Vagabond in Whitehaven; and Club Britannia and Circle Café Bar in Carlisle.
Other locations displaying information include voluntary sector organisations such as Newcastle’s Recovery College Collective (Recoco) and local Councils.
The Trust will also be posting advice on social media about helping a loved one to seek help. You can follow us on Instagram at @cntw.nhs, on Twitter at @CNTWNHS, and by searching for CNTW on Facebook.
Organisations who are interested in taking part in the campaign can email [email protected] to request a free Winter Wellness campaign pack which includes leaflets and posters.
CNTW also has a range of self-help guides that are available online in a range of formats, including British Sign Language. The guides are available online at www.cntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp. Click here to download a copy of CNTW’s Winter Wellness leaflet.
People who need help who are in distress and need help can get in touch with CNTW’s Initial Response services which are open for anyone to call, 24 hours a day. If you live in:
Cumbria call 0300 123 9015
Newcastle or Gateshead call 0191 814 8899
North Tyneside or Northumberland call 0303 123 1146
South Tyneside or Sunderland can call 0303 123 1145
If you or another person have been harmed or are at immediate risk and require an emergency response, please contact 999