Star date: 11th April 2020

SALFORD CASES JUMP TO 310 AS MENTAL HEALTH HELP OFFERED

Confirmed cases of coronavirus in Salford have now reached 310, up by 25 from the previous day, as the health rollercoaster continues in confusing spikes and dips. This week the focus has been on the community's mental health, with lots of support and advice available for anyone affected by the lockdown.

Full details here...

After relatively low new cases of coronavirus in Salford this week, the numbers have again jumped by 25 to 310, from 285 the previous day. One new death from the virus has also been sadly reported by Salford Royal Hospital.

Manchester had another big new rise in cases up from 454 to 512, and still has the highest numbers in Greater Manchester. Stockport now has 368 cases, Trafford has 297, Oldham 284, Wigan 253, Bolton 249, Tameside 227, Rochdale 222 and Bury 198.

As the lockdown continues over Easter, the focus has been on the community's mental health in coping with social distancing, isolation and everything else that goes with this virus rollercoaster.

Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership is now offering free online support for mental health and wellbeing for all Greater Manchester residents to help with stress, anxiety, low mood and depression...

Silver Cloud offers a number of online programmes to help ease stress levels, improve sleep or build resilience. Each programme uses proven methods, including cognitive behavioural therapy, and all information entered is anonymous, confidential and secure. You just take an online wellbeing quiz to find the right path and take it from there – for details see the Silver Cloud website – click here

The is also the SHOUT service, a confidential 24/7 text service for people aged 16+, operated by trained crisis volunteers who will chat using text responses. Advice is available for anyone struggling with a host of issues, including: anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, abuse or assault, self-harm, bullying or relationship issues. And The service is overseen by clinical supervisors. Salford people can text GMSalford to 85258.

Also in the pipeline is ChatHealth – a confidential text messaging service for children and young people which allows them to anonymously get in touch with a healthcare professional for advice and support. And Kooth, an online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform for children and young people. While this has been launched in other areas of Greater Manchester, it's not coming to Salford until May.

In the meantime, dancing is one of the best forms of improving wellbeing and today, from noon til midnight, the Hacienda's Stay At Home Rave is happening, with top house DJs spinning the sounds and a Q&A with Peter Hook, Shaun Ryder and Graeme Park – if this doesn't improve moods nothing will...'Aceeeeeeeddddd'... 'Tooooon' etc....

See previous Salford Star article for full details of the Hac Stay At Home Rave – click here