We are responding to this time of incredible change and challenge for our communities by launching an online wellbeing service and fellow charity Lifecraft have extended the hours of their Lifeline mental health helpline.

Adults in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are now able access a new free online mental health wellbeing service, Qwell.

Individuals can now access a range of materials to support and assist them with their psychological wellbeing, including educational and self-help articles and peer-to-peer support via forums – with the option to contribute their own articles or forum entries.

Adults are also able to receive help from qualified counsellors via drop-in or scheduled online chat sessions.

Lifeline, the established confidential and anonymous mental health helpline, has extended its hours of support by an extra five hours a day and is now available from 2pm – 11pm on Freephone 0808 808 2121.

For people that already face significant stresses in their lives, the level of anxiety can be difficult to contain in the current environment.

“At CPSL Mind, our vision is a society in which everyone has positive mental health and feels part of a connected community – when Qwell was planned as part of our Good Life service we could not have imagined social distancing and dramatic changes impacting on the way we are currently living”, explains our CEO, Aly Anderson.

“We are all adapting to the online environment to stay in touch. So connecting individuals with each other and trained professional counsellors in safe, supportive online communities via Qwell will truly enhance the support on offer to our community.”

Dr Lynne Green, XenZone’s Chief Clinical Officer says, “we encourage adults to use this service as a source of support during this difficult time. We would urge people not to wait until they are at crisis point before reaching out for help – we can provide support through the peaks and troughs – prevention is always the best way forward.”

By launching now as part of a countywide joined-up health response to the coronavirus crisis there will be a choice of additional mental health support which is as accessible as possible for everyone, regardless of their circumstances.

Both services are available across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Gemma Barron, CEO of Lifecraft says, “We are really pleased to be able to further support residents at this time. Support and information to someone experiencing mental distress or anyone supporting someone in distress is hugely important, providing a listening ear alongside other partners and health services can only be a good thing particularly at this time”.