New mental health course offers help with life after lockdown

People living in Sheffield who have been struggling with their mental health during lockdown are being urged to book a place on a new online NHS course.

The ‘Life After Lockdown’ course is being run by Sheffield Improving Access to Psychological Therapies and will offer practical advice to help deal with the anxiety, worry and stress that some people may be experiencing as restrictions ease. During 2020 the IAPT team supported nearly 12,000 people in Sheffield with their mental health.

Recent data from the Office for National Statistics suggests that around one in five adults experienced some form of depression in early 2021 – more than double that observed before the Coronavirus pandemic.

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The course is being held online on Wednesday, June 9 from 6pm to 7.30pm.

A key focus for the course will be to look at useful tips to help with returning to normal activities like being in groups, socialising and being in the workplace.

Sian Wray, senior psychological wellbeing practitioner who will be running the course, said: “The easing of lockdown restriction is something that lots of people will be excited about as we get back to some sort of normality. But for many people, particularly those who have been shielding, the thought of going back to work or being in large groups can be terrifying.

“I want anyone who is struggling to know that it is absolutely normal to feel this way. The pandemic has affected us all in different ways and it’s completely understandable to feel cautious, worried, anxious, exhausted or just fed up with everything. At the course I’ll be talking about lots of things that can help with these feelings, including breathing and grounding exercises to calm your mind and body.

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“You won’t be put on the spot in the course and asked questions, everyone but the presenters will have their cameras and microphones turned off. If you have any questions you can type them in the text chat.”

There are 100 places available on the course with places assigned on a first come first served basis.

To book a place on the course visit iaptsheffield.shsc.nhs.uk or call 0114 2264380.

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