Published on: 2nd November 2020
Greater Manchester Resilience Hub is now offering psychological and emotional wellbeing support to all health and care workers (and their families), working in Greater Manchester, who have been affected by the covid pandemic.
Yvette Hodge, occupational therapy assistant, is just one of the health and care staff to have been supported by the service since it was set up in April 2020, in response to covid.
Yvette, who lives with her husband and elderly parents, contracted covid in April at the height of the pandemic’s first wave:
“I was off work for five weeks due to covid. Not only was I recovering from the physical side of the disease but it was an extremely stressful time.
My husband contracted covid too so we had to protect my parents who lived with me – particularly my dad who has dementia and is diabetic. Fortunately we were able to live separately in the house and my parents didn’t contract the disease.
I returned to work slowly but I was still worried about my parents catching the disease, and I felt guilty being at work and not being there to help them.
Everything in our lives had changed, I didn’t feel the same and I couldn’t do the usual things in my life that helped me relax and unwind, such as going to Pilates.
I knew things weren’t right and I was also starting to drink more alcohol during the week.
I contacted the Resilience Hub and completed their wellbeing questionnaire. One of their therapists then contacted me and I just poured everything out to them – all my anxieties and worries.
They really have been amazing – we developed a plan to help me and to give more structure to my life.
They encouraged me to speak to my manager about condensing my hours so I have more time at home now. I’ve also been using an app called Daylio. Every day it prompts you to think about how you feel and your plans for the day by setting yourself goals.
The support and advice has really worked for me – I’m able to think about the here and now and take things step by step; rather than letting things overwhelm me. I feel able to look after myself which means I can also look after my mum and dad.”
The Resilience Hub offers a confidential wellbeing questionnaire which can be completed online or over the phone.
Everyone who completes the questionnaire will be able to speak to one of our qualified mental health professionals. They will be able to help you access a range of wellbeing and mental health support or services across the region, as appropriate.
Click here for more information, advice and support, or contact the team on 03330 095 071 or gm.help@nhs.net