Staying healthy
Please follow the national guidelines on self-isolation and social distancing in try and stay healthy.
And we know you’ve been doing this but… please wash your hands.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms are a high temperature, a cough (coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours), and breathing difficulties. These are not the only symptoms, and not everybody has all of them…
Please see the NHS site for reliable information.
Myths
There’s lots of fake medical advice around. Please see our myths page, and take advice from medical professionals.
Mental Health
There is a new mental health helpline set up for residents of Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Wirral – 0300 3033972
Open 24 hours a day, seven-days a week, it is open to people of all ages including children and young people who need urgent mental health support.
What to do if you need urgent mental health help:
- Please call 0300 303 3972 and dedicated local NHS staff will support you to access the help you need
- The helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is open to people of all ages – including children and young people
- The helpline is now the first port of call for mental health help – it is operated by people in your local area who will know how best to support you. If you call NHS111 you may have to wait longer for help and will be re-directed to this local service – so call 0300 303 3972
- Please note, A&E and 999 are not the best places to get help for the majority of mental health problems – call 0300 303 3972 to be directed to the best local service to support you
- You should still call 999 or go to A&E if you have an immediate, life-threatening emergency requiring mental or physical health assistance
- For non-urgent help and general wellbeing advice, the CWP website contains information and links to resources to support people with anxiety, low mood, and worries relating to the current Covid-19 pandemic cwp.nhs.uk
- For children and young people there is also a dedicated website MyMind.org.uk
Coping while isolated
This will be a difficult time for us all. Advice from WHO on protecting your mental health during this time includes:
- limiting your intake of news items about coronavirus – but staying informed
- take a break from social media – mute things that might be overwhelming
- wash your hands – but not excessively
- stay connected with people – talk to your family and friends via phone or online
- exercise, eat well, and stay hydrated.
See our page with links on coping, and activities you could try while at home.