A 53-year-old woman, who suffers from a number of health issues and a disability sought support to tackle her mental health after shielding throughout the pandemic.

Cath bacon, who works for the UK’s largest union as a local organiser, found her time shielding difficult.

Cath said: “The idea of going out was petrifying because I’d been shielding for so long, as I’d been on the clinically extremely vulnerable list. I was going back to work after restrictions had lifted and I felt anxious about leaving the house, as I’d spent so long at home not going out at all.” 

Cath sought help through MyWellbeing College, a free NHS service that is run in partnership by Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust and local voluntary and community organisations. It offers learning and support for people that might be feeling low, unable to sleep, anxious, or stressed through a range of online courses, links to websites, and resources for help.

Cath continued: “Because I’d had such success with last year’s therapies, I reached out to MyWellbeing again and they were absolutely amazing. Now I’m confident in where I can go, what I can do, and who I can interact with.

“It was actually COVID coming and me having to shield that made me take the impetus to actually listen to what the occupational therapist had to say and to talk to someone about me having very low self-esteem.

“I contacted MyWellbeing College and did a self-referral and had therapy around self-esteem, wellbeing and accepting that I am disabled.  My therapist encouraged me to practice mindfulness. The first time I tried it I thought to myself ‘this is a load of claptrap’ and then it started working.

“Now whenever I feel down or anxious, I take myself off and quietly breathe and bring myself back to being okay. That was the single most useful thing about learning to accept myself for who I am and that it’s okay, not to be okay.

Cath highlighted the vital part MyWellbeing College played in giving her the confidence in her capabilities.

 

Cath said: “I now have confidence and I do believe if you can help someone – you must pass it on.

 

MyWellbeing College is open to anyone over the age of 16 who is registered with a GP in Bradford, Wharfedale, Airedale or Craven.