Manchester 22/05 - general advice and support | News and Events

Manchester 22/05 - general advice and support

 

Service users in the community

Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the tragic events in Manchester on 22/05. 

Our priority remains offering you, our service users and carers, the care and support you need, especially at this difficult and challenging time.  As a mental health community, we stand together with you in feeling shocked and saddened, but we are also here to help you as much as we can.  Please access your services in the normal way – our services remain unaffected despite the tragic circumstances affecting our cities.  Please also use any out of hours or crisis support you feel you need and remember your GP is also there.

We are proud to be part of an NHS which responds with speed and courage in such tragic circumstances.  As a Trust, we responded during the night to offer help to emergency staff and we continue to support the ongoing efforts to look after those affected.

Please keep checking back for latest information.

Mental wellbeing advice following the Manchester Arena Incident

This guidance is aimed at anyone exposed to the incident at Manchester Arena that took place on 22 May 2017. The emotional effects will be felt by survivors, bereaved families, friends, emergency services, health care workers and the general public. If you witnessed or lost someone in the attack you will most certainly have a strong reaction. Reactions are likely to be strongest in those closest to the incident, who directly witnessed the aftermath and who were involved in the immediate care of victims.

Common reactions to traumatic events

The following responses are normal and to be expected in the first few weeks: Sad man

  • Emotional reactions such as feeling afraid, sad, horrified, helpless, overwhelmed, angry, confused, numb or disorientated
  • Distressing thoughts and images that just pop into your head
  • Nightmares
  • Disturbed sleep or insomnia
  • Feeling anxious
  • Low mood

These responses are a normal part of recovery and are the mind’s mechanisms of trying to make sense and come to terms with what happened. They should subside over time.

What can people do to cope?

  • The most helpful way of coping with an event like this is to be with people you feel close to and normally spend time with.
  • If it helps, talk to someone you feel comfortable with (friends, family, co-workers) about how you are feeling.
  • Talk at your own pace and as much as you feel it’s useful.
  • Be willing to listen to others who may need to talk about how they feel.
  • Take time to grieve and cry if you need to. Letting feelings out is helpful in the long run.
  • Ask for emotional and practical support from friends, family members, your community or religious centre.
  • Try to return to everyday routines and habits. They can be comforting and help you feel less out of sorts. Look after yourself: eat and sleep well, exercise and relax.
  • Try to spend some time doing something that feels good and that you enjoy.
  • Be understanding about yourself.

How can children be helped to cope? Kids and mum

  • Let them know that you understand their feelings.
  • Give them the opportunity to talk, if and when they want to.
  • Respect their pace.
  • Reassure them that they are safe.
  • Keep to usual routines.
  • Keep them from seeing too much of the frightening pictures of the event.

When should a person seek more help?

In the early stages, psychological professional help is not usually necessary or recommended. Many people recover naturally from these events. However, some people may need additional support to help them cope. For example, young children, people who have had other traumatic events happen to them and people with previous mental health difficulties may be more vulnerable.

If about a month after the event anyone is still experiencing the following difficulties, it is a good idea to seek help: handshake

  • Feeling upset and fearful most of the time
  • Acting very differently to before the trauma
  • Not being able to work or look after the home and family
  • Having deteriorating relationship difficulties
  • Using drugs or drinking too much
  • Feeling very jumpy
  • Still not being able to stop thinking about the incidents
  • Still not being able to enjoy life at all

You can access help by:

  • Speaking to your local GP
  • Accessing your local NHS psychological therapies service:
  • Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year.
  • Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.
  • PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
  • The Sanctuary (0300 003 7029) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year, for people who are struggling to cope - experiencing depression, anxiety, panic attacks or in crisis.

Useful links:

Greater Manchester Police
Website
Twitter: @GMPolice
Emergency information number (for those seeking information about loved ones): 0800 096 0095

Transport for Greater Manchester
Website
Twitter: @OfficialTFGM

North West Ambulance Service 
Twitter: @NWAbulance

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
Website
Twitter: @Manchesterfire

Greater Manchester Victims' Services
Website

For travel updates - please click HERE.

As a patient

As a service user, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support. 

Find resources for carers and service users  Contact the Trust

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