Surge in number of people seeking help from Highland mental health charity Mikeysline as coronavirus lockdown is extended
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A MENTAL health charity has experienced a sharp rise in the number of people contacting them with suicidal thoughts during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Mikeysline, set up in 2015 to try and tackle high suicide rates in the Highlands, has been forced to close The Hive Project – a mental health crisis centre – as a result of new social distancing rules.
But its team of five support staff and 20 volunteers is working flat out from home to deal with an increased volume of calls and texts.
The revelation came as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon pledged a further £1 million investment in Scottish mental health services in recognition of the harsh impact coronavirus is having on people’s mental wellbeing.
Mikeysline, based in the city’s Academy Street, normally receives more than 1000 individual calls, texts and drop-in visits every year.
Although it is yet to collate and quantify its current workload, it is experiencing an increase in contact from people suffering through social isolation, anxiety, depression and poor mental health.
Among those getting in touch are a significant number of new clients.
The charity’s chairwoman, Donna Smith, said they were gearing up to deal with an even heavier workload as the lockdown was extended for three more weeks yesterday.
She added: “There is a very clear trend. As the reality of the lockdown being extended hits home, we only expect demands to increase.”
With the Hive shut for now, Mikeysline has set up an additional callback service through Facebook Messenger.
The charity believes the restrictions on employment, socialising, entertainment, travel and time outdoors are fuelling the need for more mental health support.
Emily Stokes, Mikeysline’s service manager, said: “Existing clients are still using our helpline and textline regularly, but our staff and volunteers are experiencing a very noticeable rise in new contacts.
“We’ve had to place increased focus on helping individuals find coping mechanisms and strategies using a range of techniques tailored to that person.
“Social isolation is coming up more and more. Suicidal thoughts are coming up a lot more as well.
“People have lost a lot of the tools they used to use in general, day-to-day life.
“It is tough for people with pre-existing mental health problems, but also tough on some who haven’t needed our services before.”
The extra £1 million cash from the Scottish Government will go towards the expansion of the Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) programme to help people in distress and launch a new mental health marketing campaign.
It comes on top of a previous £3.8 million package earmarked to expand mental health services in Scotland.
Highland MSP Maree Todd said: “This will be an overwhelming time for many and I want to emphasise the importance of looking after our mental health in the same way we look after our physical health.
“Our day-to-day lives have changed drastically and it’s to be expected that this will affect our mental wellbeing.
“It’s crucial that those who are struggling to cope are able to access the support they need.”
Contact Mikeysline by texting 07779 303303 or call the Samaritans on 116123.
