During the spring a nationwide lockdown meant the UK stayed home for an extended period of time unlike ever before.

This time, he seasonal shift offers new obstacles: dealing with mental health during a winter lockdown and less chances to meet outside. Local groups are offering a variety of ways to support people during the second lockdown.

Hackney cool down café 

25-year-old, author, Yolanda Lear has teamed up with the local café to create ‘a supportive space for young people facing any kind of mental health difficulty.’ Lear will be running workshops there to teach young people aged 11 to 18 about mental wellbeing. 

When: every Thursday from 6.30pm – 7.30pm 

Where: the sessions will take place via zoom here

Free Covid-19 psychological impact, wellbeing and mental health course 

The Maudsley hospital are offering a three-week online course to help people identify factors specific to Covid-19 that impact wellbeing and mental health. 

Over 23,537 people have already enrolled on the course which promises ‘helpful strategies and advice on how to deal with the anxiety and uncertainty of COVID-19, cope with its challenges, and ultimately prepare for life after coronavirus.

You can enrol here

MindSET 

MindSET is a free, interactive online resource to help young people (aged 16 – 30) manage their feelings of anxiety and distress. The event, run by the Body & Soul charity in Hackney, is providing a weekly ‘MindSET hour’ a livestream session hosted by young people working alongside experienced and qualified mental health professionals. 

A spokesperson for the charity said: “In this time of collective crisis, Body & Soul has further mobilised to bring a community response to Covid-19 for our members, our volunteers, staff and to the wider community. This is the time for us all to come together, uniting with love in the face of such adversity.”

For more information on the charity click here 

To sign up for the zoom call click here