Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has launched a range of digital services and online support for people with mental health issues.
Mayor Andy Burnham and Sir Richard Leese, chair of the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, announced the move as a city-region response to complement work already going on at local level, and emphasised its significance within the response to the coronavirus pandemic.
They highlighted the launch of SHOUT, a confidential 24/7 test service for people aged 16 and over and operated by trained volunteers who will chat with text responses. It is overseen by clinical supervisors and covers a range of issues including anxiety, depression, self-harm and relationship issues.
A similar service named ChatHealth is soon to be launched for children and young people.
Further launches
A handful of other services have been launched or are in the pipeline, including Kooth, an online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform for children and young people. This is currently limited to Bolton, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Trafford and Wigan and is scheduled to be extended to Bury, Salford, Stockport and Tameside by May.
Bluelce is an evidence based app to help young people manage their emotions and reduce urges to self-harm. It is available from clinicians working in child and adolescent mental health services.
SilverCloud is an online therapy programme people aged 16 and above to help with stress, anxiety, low mood and depression.
There are also plans to make a Greater Manchester Bereavement Service available by the end of the month to enable callers to talk about their loss.
Along with these, the Greater Manchester Resilience Hub is to provide additional support to NHS staff and frontline key workers.
The two organisations are also working with Health Innovation Manchester to identify additional digital services to support specific vulnerable groups, such as children with special education needs.
Difficult time
Burnham said: “I’m conscious that lots of people need support to look after their mental health and as we enter weeks four, five, six and beyond of this coronavirus crisis and the limitations placed on our day-to-day lives, it’s going to become even more difficult for some people.
“We need to act together to combat social isolation and find ways for people to connect or interact. I would encourage everyone to keep in touch with their friends, families and neighbours via phone or video calls and to get in touch with any of the support services available.”
Image from GMCA
