17 August 2020

COVID-19 has significantly changed our day-to-day lives in recent months. This has affected how many of us are feeling. As restrictions continue to be lifted; schools resume, some people start to return to work, whilst others deal with unemployment and concerns following shielding, it’s normal to feel stressed, anxious or overwhelmed. The important thing is to remember that it's okay to not feel okay sometimes and that there is plenty of help and support available.

Our NHS Borders Wellbeing Service is here to support you with improving your emotional wellbeing. This may include distress and worries linked to COVID-19 or other mild to moderate common mental health problems such as stress, anxiety and low mood. For immediate worries linked to living with the impact of COVID-19, the service can offer psychological first aid.

Our Wellbeing Service also provides support to people who wish to improve their lives in one or more of the following areas:

  • Being more active
  • Eating more healthily
  • Stopping smoking

Making changes in your life can be difficult and our trained advisers will offer you support and encouragement to live well. Our advisers offer programmes of support, where they will use appropriate skills and toolkits to help you to make changes in your lifestyle.

We currently offer appointments over the telephone or via video call using 'Near Me'. 'Near Me' is a confidential and secure service which allows you to attend your appointment using a video call, rather than attending in person. You will still see the same adviser you would have seen and you can use your own mobile phone, tablet, laptop or PC to make the call.

Our digital Wellbeing Point is also available which includes the ‘Six Ways to be Well in the Scottish Borders’ guide as well as many other resources and contacts that can help you look after your mental health and wellbeing. Anyone can access it here.

Dr Tim Patterson, Joint Director of Public Health, said: “Everyone, no matter how well or low they are feeling can benefit from looking after their mental health and wellbeing. Good mental health is more than just the absence of a mental health problem, we all have mental health and to be well we need to look after our minds as well as our bodies. If things are becoming a bit much, it’s important to talk to someone about how you are feeling. This could be a family member or friend, one of our Wellbeing advisers or by calling a helpline. Remember, you’re not alone and that there is help and support available.”

If you need to talk to someone, you can call:

  • NHS 24 on 111
    • Monday-Sunday 6pm to 2am
  • Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87
    • Weekdays: Monday-Thursday 6pm to 2am
    • Weekends: Friday 6pm to Monday 6am
  • Samaritans on 116 123
    • 24 hours a day, 365 days a year