Thank you for contacting me about mental health during this difficult time.
I know that my colleagues across Parliament understand the importance of considering the impact of the news and of isolation, on mental health.
There are a number of measures in place to support people through this difficult time.
On Tuesday the 24th March, my colleague, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, announced NHS Volunteer Responders, enabling volunteers to provide care or help to a vulnerable person. One of the ways in which volunteers will be able to do this is by being a ‘Check-In and Chat’ Volunteer, who provide short-term telephone support to individuals who are at risk of loneliness as a consequence of self-isolation. Additionally, Community Response Volunteers will collect shopping, medication and other essential supplies for someone who is self-isolating and deliver these supplies to their home.
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