Managing your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak
Find information and tips for managing your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak (also known as COVID-19). Whether you’re social distancing or self-isolating you may be feeling anxious or stressed during this time, and that’s completely normal. There are simple steps you can take to look after your mental health and wellbeing. We will continue to add and update the information to this page.
On this page:
Working from home

How to look after your mental health while working from home.
Working from home
With new social distancing measures what can we do to look after our mental health and wellbeing? We’ve put together some tips and ideas.

Looking after children and yourself while working from home.
Children & Young People
Emily from our Fundraising Team at Mental Health UK writes her thoughts and tips for looking after young children while working from home amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Supporting employees on furlough
For Businesses
The government have offered a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme in order to help support businesses during this difficult time. Those on furlough will also need to adjust to a significant change.
How to live your best working life
It’s easy for work to get on top of us, especially when emotions are running high in times of change, and the stress can eventually lead to mental health problems. We’ve got lots of tips and ideas to help you manage your mental health and wellbeing so you can be your best for working at home.
Looking after your mental health

6 ways to boost your wellbeing while staying indoors.
Mental health & wellbeing
It’s natural for our emotions to feel very up and down in these uncertain times. We’ve got lots of practical tips and ideas to help you manage your mental health, and stay entertained, while we’re advised to stay inside.

Managing your mental health as a key worker during the coronavirus outbreak.
For key workers
Now more than ever you might be feeling the pressure if you’re a key worker. We’ve put together some ways to help you manage your mental health during this period.

5 tips for coping when you've got a mental health condition
Mental health conditions
Seaneen, MindWise’s communications manager, shares 5 tips for coping with the Covid-19 restrictions when you’re living with a mental health condition

Coronavirus and my wellbeing
Mental health & wellbeing
Jemima from the Fundraising Team at Mental Health UK provides her advice for looking after your mental health if you’re experiencing problems for the first time as a result of the pandemic.

5 tips for looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak
Mental health & wellbeing
Our founding charity partners in Wales, Hafal, put together their top five tips for managing your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak.

Managing your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Mental health & wellbeing
Peer from the Digital Team at Rethink Mental Illness looks at the simple steps you can take to look after your wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak.
Looking after others

Advice for carers of those with severe mental illness.
For carers
This information is for anyone who is a carer of someone who lives in the community with a severe mental illness. By ‘carer’ we mean an unpaid carer, such as a relative or friend.

How to have an open conversation with young people about coronavirus.
For parents & carers
Advice to parents and carers to help support open conversation with young people about their worries during the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

How you can help others during self-isolation.
Self isolation
Here are some practical ways you can help your local community during the coronavirus outbreak.

Join Clic UK
Our free online support community
Join us today and connect with others for mutual support, share your thoughts and find helpful information.
Mental health and money advice

Mental health and money advice for COVID-19 outbreak
Money & finance
Whilst focus is on people’s physical health at the moment, the fallout and dramatic changes will take a toll on people’s financial wellbeing as well as their mental health. We provide vital information and links to help provide support during the COVID-19 outbreak.

How to budget your money during the COVID-19 outbreak
Money & finance
The COVID-19 outbreak has caused several people to lose their jobs or have a reduced income. At Mental Health and Money Advice, we understand the link between financial difficulty and poor mental health. We explain how to budget during the COVID-19 outbreak, so you feel more in control of your finances and mental health.
Help and support where you are
Free emotional support line open 24/7 call 116 123
For reliable sources of information regarding corona, please visit the following websites:
UK Government website for up-to-date information about travel and work.
NHS website for all advice regarding your physical health and coronavirus. You can also use the NHS symptom checker if you’re concerned that you or a family member might have covid-19.
Contact them 9:30am to 4pm Monday to Friday via webchat, email advice@rethink.org, or phone 0300 5000 972.
Emotional support line 0300 304 7000 4.30pm – 10.30pm daily
Call their National Information Service on 0300 323 1545 Monday to Friday 9am-3.30pm
or email info@supportinmindscotland.org.uk. They also have a section on their website dedicated to coronavirus information and guidance.
For the latest mental health news, key mental health contacts and information on legislation and rights, visit: Mental Health Wales
Hafal
The principal charity in Wales for people with a serious mental illness and their carers. Visit Hafal.org for more information on their services across Wales, plus their latest news and campaigns.
Here2Help
A Northern Ireland focused app that uses information from MindingYourHead. It contains a huge range of support services to contact if you need help or are supporting someone else. Download it on Google Play Store and the Apple iTunes App Store.
Calm Harm
An app designed to help people resist or manage the urge to self-harm. It’s private and password protected. Download it on Google Play Store and the Apple iTunes App Store.
Aware
Online support groups for people who are affected by depression or bipolar disorder on a Tuesday afternoon from 2.30pm – 3.30pm. Find out more: https://www.aware-ni.org/how-we-can-help-you/aware-ni-online-support-groups
Extern
During this difficult time Extern offer over the phone support for those impacted by mental health, drugs, alcohol and have thoughts of suicide. Their crisis intervention helpline number is: 0800 085 4808 you can also email reachout@extern.org or call 07442533165