DORSET HealthCare urged people to ‘be kind’ during Mental Health Awareness Week and help each other through the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

The campaign highlighted the need for everyone to look after their minds, as well as their bodies, and the aim of the week is to promote good mental health through acts of kindness.

Dorset HealthCare provides a range of mental health services across the county and will be highlighting the support available for all members of our community.

Those can access help include expectant mothers and their partners, parents coping with children at home, young people, carers and older people.

Together with Public Health Dorset, BCP Council and Dorset Council the Trust will be sharing experiences of local residents and celebrating how #KindnessMatters.

Alice Robbins, 24, from Sherborne, sought help from the Trust’s Steps2Wellbeing service for postnatal depression and grief after losing her partner.

She said: “I started receiving help after my first child was born when I started to suffer with depression and anxiety. I received Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) over the phone, which suited me initially rather than face-to-face appointments.

“In January last year my husband had a car accident and passed away a month later. I went back for support in May to continue my CBT and I also started seeing a counsellor.

“The counselling really helped, it was good to have an outsider to speak to that wasn’t a friend or family member. I didn’t want to burden them, as they were going through the same thing. By speaking to someone else I could get everything out, and it felt really good.

“It was also reassuring to know that I could speak to the same person once a week and have that support at the end of the phone.

“Now I have completed all my sessions, I felt a massive sense of achievement. I am not the same person as when I started receiving support and that’s all because of the work we did together.

“I would say to anyone who might be going through anything such as depression after having a baby or losing a loved one, don’t be scared – get the support. Once I admitted there was something wrong, it was a weight lifted. There is nothing to be ashamed of.”

Clare Hurley, Head of Adult Psychological Services at Dorset HealthCare, said: "The COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging time and people’s mental health will have been affected in various ways. Many people will be feeling lonely, isolated, stressed and anxious, so we must do all we can to look after each other and support one another’s mental wellbeing.

“If you are struggling, we are here for you. There is a range of support available and we will find what feels right for you."

You can refer yourself at steps2wellbeing.co.uk or ask your GP for a referral. A helpline is also available on 0300 123 5440.