The experience of having COVID-19 can be very frightening. It is very understandable that the experience can have an emotional impact.

Whether you have had mild or more severe symptoms, these are some common difficulties that you may be having:

• feeling anxious – not just if you are breathless
• worries about health or about family or friends getting ill
• feeling low in mood, depressed, tearful or suicidal
• extremes of emotion and irritability
• poor sleep, including vivid dreams, flashbacks or nightmares
• not being able to think clearly, memory or attention problems.

If you were treated in hospital, you may also experience:

• unpleasant memories or images from your stay – these might seem to come out of the blue
• feelings of panic with any reminders of hospital.

If you are experiencing any of these, it can be helpful to talk to someone. Help and support is available right now if you need it. You do not have to struggle with difficult feelings alone; getting help early on can help you recover better and sooner.

What can help? Don’t wait until you are overwhelmed.

• Avoid watching too much news or looking on social media if it is making you feel anxious. Try limiting yourself to looking at the news once a day.
• Speak to family and friends.
• Try to do activities that you find enjoyable and relaxing.
• Don’t be too hard on yourself if there are some things you find harder to do.
• Remind yourself that recovery takes time.
• Focus on what is in your control, like eating well.
• If you are having suicidal thoughts, call 999.

Speak to your GP, healthcare professional or contact someone for help. Don’t wait or delay.  

For mental health help in emergency

24 hour helpline (adults) 0800 783 9111

24 hour single point of access (Under 18s) 0800 011 3474, select option 1, then option 3

Visit www.kmpt.nhs.uk/need-help

Release the pressure

Free confidential support at any time.

Text KENT to 85258

Phone 0800 107 0160

Visit www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/release-the-pressure

Samaritans

A safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you.

Phone 116 123

Email jo@samaritans.org

Visit www.samaritans.org

Mental health matters

A 24-hour helpline for those with emotional stress problems and need of urgent support.

Phone 0300 330 5486 (free from a mobiles) or 0800 107 0160 (free from a landline)

Visit www.mhm.org.uk

NHS.UK

Visit www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/help-for-suicidal-thoughts for links to more help and support.

Other help

Every Mind Matters

An official NHS website about looking after your own mental health, with a specific section related to COVID-19.

Visit www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

Can talk to you about whatever is getting you down between 5pm and midnight, 365 days a year.

Phone 0800 58 58 58

Visit www.thecalmzone.net

Apps

You can find recommended apps at www.nhs.uk/apps-library

Individual access to psychological therapies (IAPT) providers for free counselling therapies that you can self-refer to:

NHS 24-hour IAPT finder

Visit www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-psychological-therapies-service

Live Well Kent IAPT

Help and wellbeing advice including the Shaw Trust, Porchlight and Mind.

Phone 0800 567 7699

Visit www.livewellkent.org.uk

Go to leaflet…

• Long Covid
• Managing your breathing
• Managing your cough and clearing your chest
• Tiredness and fatigue
• Emotional impact
• Communication and changes to your voice
• Food and diet
• Quit smoking
• Getting active