Nus Ghani, MP for Wealden, has welcomed the news that over 1.5 million food parcels have been delivered to those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, with hundreds of thousands more parcels expected to be delivered across the country in the coming weeks.
Around 2.2 million people in England have been identified as being clinically extremely vulnerable and are therefore at high risk of severe illness from Coronavirus due to specified underlying health conditions. These individuals have been asked to shield, and for those who do not have local friends or family to help them, the Government is offering support with getting essential supplies in the form of food parcels. The Government direct to door weekly free food parcel service, which brings together national and local government and the food industry, is the first of its kind in this country and an effort of this scale has not been seen since the Second World War. For more information on shielding those who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 please see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19.
Nus Ghani has also welcomed The Sussex Health and Care partnership launch of the new suicide prevention campaign called ‘Warning Signs’. The campaign, aimed mainly at men, is targeting not only those at risk of suicide but also the people around them such as friends, relatives, colleagues and public services, to help them be aware of others’ mental well-being and warning signs that someone is struggling.
Nus Ghani said “With the ongoing uncertainty and anxiety around Coronavirus and it being Mental Health Awareness Week, I am pleased to see that The Sussex Health and Care partnership has launched a new suicide prevention campaign. Sadly, there are areas within Sussex with significantly higher suicide rates than average in England, particularly amongst men, and it is so important for people to reach out and know that help and support is available.”
The campaign website can be found at www.preventingsuicideinsussex.org and for help in the short term, please contact Sussex Mental Healthline on 0300 5000 101 for access to urgent support.
