Sutton Mental Health Foundation - free wellbeing phone line

Looking after your mental health and wellbeing, particularly during these strange and potentially stressful times, has never been more crucial.

We all have a responsibility to continue following the latest guidelines on staying at home and social distancing, but we can also acknowledge the impact this isolation can have on some of us and our mental wellbeing. Public Health England has produced a guide on how to look after your mental health and wellbeing during this time, which I have found really helpful.

Locally, we need to do all  we can to support one another during this difficult period. At Sutton Council we are proudly supporting Sutton Mental Health Foundation (SMHF) to deliver a free phone service for those in need of support in the borough.

It’s vitally important that we look after those that may be suffering the effects of a really difficult year, which then ended with a festive period under restrictions. Supporting our residents’ mental health has always been a key priority and it has never been more valuable to have a service like this one provided in our borough.

I would encourage anybody who is feeling anxious, is in need of advice, or just wants to have a chat to please get in touch with the dedicated staff at Sutton Mental Health Foundation and to talk honestly about their feelings. Their staff are there to help.

If you wish to contact SMHF, you can call 0800 0129105 for free, Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm. Please visit their website for more information and advice.

There will also be a series of online events held weekly by SMHF, including a coffee morning, a creative writing workshop and an ‘art for wellbeing’ workshop, so do keep an eye out for them in the coming weeks.

Please look after yourselves and those around you.

Warm regards,

Councillor Marian James

Chair of People Committee