When times are uncertain, it’s understandable to experience a rollercoaster of emotions.

Thrive LDN and partners created a series of NHS Coping Well During Covid webinars designed to support you deal with the impact of the pandemic.

The free, hour-long sessions were led and delivered by Emily Gardner, High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, East London NHS Foundation Trust. Topics include managing wellbeing, low mood and burnout, and sleeping difficulties, as well as working from home and mindfulness.

The wellbeing webinars start from the principle that it’s normal and okay to feel upset, anxious or confused at times. However, there are things we can all do to support our mental health and wellbeing during this challenging time. These webinars offer you the chance to explore ideas and strategies to support your mental health and wellbeing, in a safe and welcoming environment, led by a clinician.

Managing wellbeing

This webinar looks at improving wellbeing; highlighting a fear cycle and a low mood cycle. Concluding with ideas and tools to break these cycles and improve mood.

The following webinar was broadcast live on Tuesday 30th March 2021

Download the slides for this webinar (PDF)

Working from home and staying well

This webinar considers the challenges created by home working, helping you to find a better home working life balance, enabling you to find it easier to separate working from home life. We explore some strategies to help you switch off from work and enjoy your time outside of work more.

The following webinar was broadcast live on Tuesday 6th April 2021

Download the slides for this webinar (PDF)

Managing Worry and Fear

This webinar will focus on managing worry and anxiety caused by COVID-19. We will take a look at helpful long term strategies for managing fear and reducing worry.​

The following webinar was broadcast live on Tuesday 13th April 2021

Download the slides for this webinar (PDF)

Managing Low Mood and Burnout

This webinar will look in more detail at the implications of lockdown on our activity levels and how this impacts how we feel. Alongside a more detailed look at how we build a balanced routine and fight low motivation.

The following webinar was broadcast live on Wednesday 21st April 2021

Download the slides for this webinar (PDF)

Sleeping Better

Insomnia is thought to affect around one third of the population. This webinar will look at why we sleep and some of the common sleep difficulties. Followed by strategies and tips to overcome these sleeping problems.

 

The following webinar was broadcast live on Wednesday 28th April 2021

Download the slides from this webinar (PDF)

Mindfulness

This webinar will provide a brief introduction to mindfulness and its benefits. You will go away with three mindfulness based exercises that you can start to practice and some mindfulness based activities to start you off on your mindfulness journey.
The following webinar was broadcast live on Tuesday 4th May 2021

Download the slides from this webinar (PDF)

Anxiety

This webinar focuses on managing worry and anxiety caused by COVID-19.

You will take a look at helpful long term strategies for managing anxiety and reducing worry.​

 

Managing Low Mood

This webinar looks in more detail at how to manage low mood.

This webinar provides a more detailed look at how we build a balanced routine and fight low motivation. It also explores the implications of COVID-19 restrictions on our activity levels and how this impacts how we feel.

 

BAME Wellbeing with David Truswell

For this webinar, Emily Gardner is joined by David Truswell, chair of the Dementia Alliance for Culture and Ethnicity.

This webinar considers the challenges Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities face and some techniques and strategies to support wellbeing.

David Truswell has worked in community based mental health services in the UK for over thirty years and has been a great advocate for people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. He has a rich history and understanding of how mental health has and does impact different minority communities.

This webinar was recorded on Tuesday, 18 August 2020 as part of the Coping Well During Covid webinar series.

 

Managing Financial Anxiety

For this webinar Emily Gardner is joined by Jerry During from Money A&E and Laura Peters from Mental Health and Money Advice.

We may find ourselves under increased financial pressure due to the impact caused by the coronavirus. The worry about money may impact sleep, concentration, productivity and our stress levels. This webinar provides you with some really practical advice to support you with your financial concerns as well as some strategies to manage your wellbeing.

This webinar was recorded on Tuesday, 25 August 2020 as part of the Coping Well During Covid webinar series.

Keeping Well for Health and Care Workers webinars

The Keeping Well for Health and Care Workers webinar series has been developed to support the wellbeing of health and social care workers who are faced with the challenges of delivering essential health and care services during COVID-19, whether at the front line or in supporting services.

At this time, it is more vital than ever that you look after yourself, allow yourself to recognise the emotional challenges of your work and ask for support when you need it.

Other resources
There are a number of other resources and services available to support your mental health and wellbeing during this challenging time.

Digital resources available now

Good Thinking is a digital mental wellbeing service that has over 100 free, NHS-approved resources designed to help those dealing with anxiety, low mood, poor sleep or stress. Take the clinically validated self-assessment to get a better understand of what you’re going through, helpful resources and if necessary, relevant treatment options.

To help build resilience and maintain good mental wellbeing, Every Mind Matters has a range of resources for everyone at Including an interactive quiz, the Your Mind Plan, to get top tips and advice relevant for you.

NHS psychological treatments

If you do not require urgent support but are still concerned about your mental health, contacting your GP is a good place to start.

You can also refer yourself for free, non-urgent NHS talking therapy services, also known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services, which provide evidence-based treatments for depression and anxiety. In London, services are ready and open to receive self-referrals for those needing professional support.

Helplines

Or you may feel more comfortable talking to someone you don’t know by using one of the following helplines:

  • If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis and needs urgent assistance, advice or support, contact your local 24/7 NHS mental health helpline.
  • Shout is the UK ‘s first 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in crisis. Text Shout at any time to 85258 to start a conversation.
  • Samaritans’ free, 24-hour listening service on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.