Essex charity warns of mental health crisis in the community
Referrals to the charity have doubled
The CEO of an Essex charity has warned he believes there's a mental health crisis in the county.
Matt King runs Trust Links, which operates across South East Essex, supporting people living with conditions including depression and anxiety.
He regularly spends time with people the charity helps and says he's seen people's mental state decline: "The people that I meet on a regular basis in our projects are really suffering, they're not getting the support they need at the time the need it.
"People are really struggling - I can see that on a daily basis.
"Referrals have doubled into our services and I can't see it reducing, it's only really increasing at the moment."
Trust Links now helps over 3000 people: "So many people are affected by mental health.. huge numbers of people are being referred in, either independently or via their GPs.
"There's a real mental health crisis in our community."
This comes as new research from Nuffield Health found over a third of adults (34%) say their mental health has got worse over the past year.
One in 10 asked also said their condition has got significantly worse in the last twelve months.
These stats don't shock Matt: "I'm really not surprised, it could even be more than that. I think covid has really affected everybody - the isolation, not being part of a community, not having those connections.
"There's also the stress and anxiety related to covid, the Ukraine crisis, the environmental crisis and the rising cost of living.
"A lot of things are layering up and really affecting people at the moment."
Help on offer
The CEO says Trust Links is here to help those suffering and recommends five steps to anyone struggling with their mental well-being:
1. Connect with other people.
"Get support from people who may have been through similar issues, reach out to friends and family.
"Don't suffer in silence. People do want to listen and people do care for you."
2. Get active
"Go swimming, do some gardening, running or walking - whatever sort of activity you're interested.
"Get out there and get your heart pumping."
3. Learn new skills
"Take the chance to learn something, whether that's something musical or horticultural or trying cooking.
"There's loads of YouTube videos you can learn from or try a group or course."
4. Give to others
"Volunteering is a really great way of giving back. You get to make a connection, which then makes you feel so much better."
5. Mindfulness
"Try to savour and value things in your daily life.
"Look at the beautiful spring flowers and the blossom that's out there at the moment, enjoying that biscuit or apple or whatever you want.
"Taking time to enjoy things, connect with nature and appreciate the good things we do have is so important."
If you're looking for further support, Matt recommends: "The NHS 111 number, your GP, Samaritans and local charities like Trust Links, which are all there to support you.
"Don't suffer on your own. There are people out there that want to work with you and help you."