‘It’s natural to feel worried or anxious or to have a low mood at these times’

Brian McGarvey said the emergency is affecting many people and insisted the Trust’s mental health service remains open for business.

“People may feel low. They may feel isolated. They may feel that their mood is affected. You may feel pressures from looking after somebody with mental health difficulties.

“It’s natural to feel worried or anxious or to have a low mood at these times but there are things we can do to help ourselves and others and to prevent these feelings becoming more serious,” he said.

A range of resources are also available online at https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/ and https://westerntrust.hscni.net/western-trust-covid-19-information-updates/mental-health-awareness-during-covid19/

“It is impacting us all. We must stay together. Our mental health is important,” said Mr. McGarvey.