Coronavirus: Surge expected in NI mental health referrals - BBC News

Dawn Hopper doesn't sound like someone who might suffer from mental health issues.

Because she had a good relationship with her doctors, she turned to them for help and they pointed her to online resources from the Public Health Agency and the Health and Social Care Board.

"One of the great things I did was take part in a stress control course and that was a great way of giving me tools to deal with the panicky thoughts - how to control your body in terms of the physical symptoms for mental health, how to get a good night's sleep?

Dr Dorman adds: "A lot of patients who previously had no mental health issues have now developed new diagnoses with things like anxiety and depression, and a lot of these have been exacerbated by the social difficulties of the pandemic."

But as lockdown starts to ease, doctors are preparing for an increase now in mental health issues

"We know there's a lot of pent-up demand, that individuals with mental health problems just didn't come forward for services, just like individuals with cancer or other conditions," said Ciaran Mulholland, a psychiatrist with the Health and Social Care Board

"There are online interventions, such as stress control classes and apps that can be used to assist people to help themselves with their own mental health," he explained

But Mr Mulholland added that "anyone who has more serious problems - feeling overwhelmed or very distressed - should go see their GP, be referred to mental health services and they'll be seen promptly and receive the appropriate treatment"

"Making yourself feel better - that can help your mental health as well."

Further resources and information on mental health services: