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Council and Havering MIND charity launch Covid-19 support line for bereaved residents

Published: Tuesday, 28 April 2020

Havering Council has teamed up with local mental health charity Havering Mind to launch a new free telephone support line to provide trauma and bereavement counselling to those affected by the crisis.

Mind Havering

The new service will support any resident or Havering carer that has been affected by a Covid 19 bereavement and wishes to talk to someone.

This is just one part of the Council’s £4.5 million support package, announced in April, to help tackle some of the significant challenges our residents and community face at this time.

Councillor Damian White, Leader of Havering Council, said:

“The partnership with Havering MIND is another example of how the Council are working with local voluntary sector and harnessing their expertise and experience to provide much-needed support to our residents who have lost someone through the Coronavirus. They are also extending this service to support those people that continue to look after others – frontline staff like care workers – should they need that help, too.

“I’m humbled every day to hear, first-hand, the efforts our community are making to help one another, and how the Council is moving quickly to support this. I urge anyone that has lost a loved one or, for example, is working in a care home and struggling to cope emotionally following a bereavement, to access the support available”.

Sarah Balser, Chief Executive of Havering Mind, said:

“We have a team of wonderful counsellors who can help you deal with the anxiety and loss, grief and distress you or someone you know may be experiencing because of Covid 19. If its right for you, our counselling will be carefully arranged for you to talk through the issues that are affecting your mental health and wellbeing, with someone specifically trained to help you.

“Over a few weeks, we can support you on your journey towards healing and change. Our caring counsellors will offer you online or telephone counselling, whichever is best for you”.

Counselling is available to any Havering resident or Havering carer over 18 years of age, and has been affected by a bereavement or trauma relating to Covid 19.

To access this free service is available seven days a week from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am to 1pm at weekends.

Please email help@haveringmind.org.uk or telephone 01708 457040 or visit the Havering MIND website to complete a referral form.