WARRIORS new signing Joe Batley is backing a local NHS campaign to encourage more people to talk and get support for their mental health.
The Now We’re Talking campaign was launched in 2018 at the Sixways stadium by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust which is responsible for mental health services across both counties. The campaign aims to reduce stigma and encourage more local people to access support, including the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Healthy Minds teams, a self-referral service for people experiencing common mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety, low mood or depression..
Having conversations about mental health helps break down stereotypes, improves relationships, aids recovery and take the sigma out of something that affects us all. There are lots of different ways to have the conversation about mental health and you don’t have to be an expert to talk.
Joe Batley said: “I am pleased to be supporting the Now We’re Talking campaign. We are in really strange times at the moment, and I would urge anyone struggling to get support. It’s really important to reach out and ask for help’.
Dawn Stallard, from Healthy Minds, said: “We all experience common mental health issues from time to time and its ok to reach out and ask for help and support. It is really important that as a community we come together and encourage and support us all to talk and get access to support when we need it.”
Since its launch the ‘Now We’re Talking’ the campaign has worked with lots of local services and organisations to raise awareness, leading to an increase in the numbers of people accessing the Healthy Minds service. On average over 1,000 local people each month access help from the Healthy Minds teams which include online support, group talking therapy or more traditional 1:1 counselling. The team also provides access to a range of self-help materials.
You can self-refer to the Healthy Minds teams without needing to see another health professional first. If you are in Worcestershire call 0300 302 13 13 or if you are in Herefordshire call 01432 347606 or visit the website www.healthyminds.whct.nhs.uk
In addition the Health and Care NHS Trust also runs a 24/7 mental health helpline for anyone who needs urgent advice and support – 01905 681 915 (24 hrs a day 365 days a year) as well as help for children, young people and families.
