Coronavirus/Covid-19

We are continuing to provide as much help and support as possible during the present coronavirus crisis. However, in line with government guidelines, Solihull Mind is unfortunately having to suspend most of its face to face services. However, we have started to trial providing counselling in our building again using masks, visors and clear screens. We are also providing the social support part of the OASIS service at our horticulture project in Knowle where we are able to safely social distance in the open or using a large polytunnel for when it’s raining. We are providing transport to Knowle in our new minibus (in accordance with social distancing rules) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with sessions starting at 12 and ending at 3pm. For details on the minibus pickup points please contact the Mind office. We will review the situation regularly and any change will be posted on this website and our Facebook page. There will still be advice and support available on the telephone and through email, and this is now available from 9-30am until 5-30pm, Monday to Friday, and Saturday/Sunday 12-30pm - 5-30pm. The contact details for this are: 0121 742 4941 or 0121 743 4237; and contact@solihullmind.org.uk.

Crisis service

Our out of hours crisis support service is now being provided by telephone on 07904 323039 and is now available seven days a week from 6pm to 11pm. As this is a single line, if it is engaged when you ring please leave a message and we’ll ring you back later in the evening or during office hours the next day. Please note, however, that we aren’t able to reply to texts on this number, it’s for voice calls only. Please still continue to contact us on any aspect of mental health, particularly if you are self isolating. There is a lot of helpful information about this on National Mind’s website: www.mind.org.uk

Free online CBT courses

If you are feeling low, anxious or stressed, and particularly if the Covid-19 pandemic has made things worse for you, then four free online CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) courses have been made available for Mind and the people we support for a limited time until the end of August. To take advantage of this offer go to https://mind.silvercloudhealth.com/signup/ to register - use the PIN SOLIHULL when completing the online form. The course are on dealing with stress, building resilience, improving sleep and coping with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Facemasks

The government has made face coverings compulsory on all public transport and in shops. However, there are exemptions from this requirement; including young children, people with breathing difficulties, and, most significantly, “people whose disabilities make it difficult for them to wear a face covering”- and this includes people who are unable to wear masks due to their mental health. As it isn’t obvious that people with “hidden disabilities” are exempt from wearing a mask, there are badges available that can be worn or displayed on your smart phone. The government issued ones can be obtained here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face- coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make- your-own. You can also buy a card and a lanyard or plastic holder at the Hidden Disabilities website: https://hiddendisabilitiesstore.com/hidden- disabilities-face-covering.html

Black Lives Matter

Mind believes that Black Lives Matter and black mental health matters and we share our support for the Black Lives Matter movement. In mental health – as in other areas of life – there is a huge disparity in how black people are listened to and supported at every level. People from black and minority ethnic (BAME) groups living in the UK are more likely to be diagnosed with mental health problems, be diagnosed and admitted to hospital, experience a poor outcome from treatment, disengage from mainstream mental health services, leading to social exclusion and a deterioration in their mental health. Under the outdated Mental Health Act, Black people are more likely to be compulsorily admitted for treatment, more likely to be on a medium or high secure ward and more likely to be subject to seclusion or restrain. We know there’s no easy solution and that there is still a long way to go to make sure everyone experiencing a mental health problem and other forms of discrimination, is treated equally, both within our organisation and outside it.