Our response to the Covid 19 pandemic
02/01/2023
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we knew we had to act fast. People living with mental illness were disproportionately affected – and we were there to make sure no one was left behind.
The pandemic created a mental health emergency. Isolation, uncertainty and loss made life even harder for people severely affected by mental illness. At Rethink Mental Illness, we responded quickly to support those who needed us most. Here are just some of the ways we took action.
We kept vital services running
We run over 200 mental health services across England – including crisis houses, supported housing and peer support groups. During the pandemic, we adapted quickly so these services could continue safely. That meant moving support online, offering help over the phone, and carefully managing face-to-face contact where needed.
We created new resources
To help people manage the mental health impact of COVID-19, we developed free, accessible information and self-help tools. These included advice on managing anxiety, guidance for carers and families, and regular blogs from people with lived experience sharing how they were coping.
We campaigned for urgent change
We worked closely with the NHS and government to make sure mental health wasn't forgotten. Using our network, we shared vital updates about changes to the Mental Health Act, the changes to the welfare system, as well as helping to disseminate vital information about the vaccine roll out.
We stayed connected with our community
We launched regular emails and social media campaigns to share practical tips, real stories and hope. This sharing of first hand accounts of living with mental illness during the pandemic was key to ensuring that our audience didn't feel alone.
We also created new ways for people to connect, talk and feel heard – even in lockdown. While many of our groups and services had to close their doors to in-person visits, we quickly adapted and took many community support networks online via Zoom and Teams.
We supported our staff and volunteers
Our frontline teams showed incredible resilience. We supported them with regular wellbeing check-ins, access to mental health support and the training they needed. Their strength helped us keep going when it mattered most.
We listened and learned
The pandemic taught us a lot about flexibility, innovation and the power of community. We've used those lessons to strengthen how we work and plan for a more inclusive, more compassionate mental health system.
Our response to the pandemic was built on compassion, urgency and hope. We stood by people living with mental illness – and we'll keep doing that, whatever the future holds. None of this would have been possible if it wasn't for the support of our dedicated staff, our members, and our generous donors.