THE public are being urged to be kind during Mental Health Awareness Week, which began on Monday, in a national campaign that follows concerns over a "tsunami" of mental health problems to come as a result of lockdown.

Mental health charity Darlington Mind has teamed up with organisations across the North-East and country in pushing a kindness campaign to get people performing small acts of kindness and positively impact another person's day.

Kindness is the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2020, which runs from May 18 to 20, as it has a “singular ability to unlock our shared humanity” while also highlighting how communities have come together during coronavirus.

This could be something simple like making someone a cup of tea, holding the door or smiling across the street, says Darlington Mind chief executive Simon Davidson.

He said: “Especially right now, there are a lot of silly people doing silly things. We want to make people think about the effect they have on others.

“We are all feeling isolated but are in this together. Say hi to strangers, let people in front of you in a queue and really engage and observe other people’s mental health.”

Mr Davidson’s calls follow the a new survey of over 1,300 mental health doctors from across the UK, which revealed that 43 per cent of psychiatrists have seen an increase in their urgent and emergency caseload while 45 per cent have seen a reduction in their most routine appointments.

Psychiatrists are concerned that patients are staying away from mental health services until they reach a crisis point, something the Darlington-based man reiterates.

He said: “People are not reaching out because it’s the first time they are experiencing these feelings and don't know where to go.

“Mental health problems are not some abnormality you are born with, but are developed and can be entirely situational and managed.

“We can help develop coping mechanisms, and there are a lot of ways people can help and support each other, including through kindness."

Darlington Mind, which is conducting sessions via video calls, also offers support to employers to ensure adequate mental health provisions for the workforce, which Mr Davidson believes will be vital going forward as people return to work and the delayed effects of “lockdown anxiety” emerge.

The charity also supports people through bereavement and domestic violence, while offering many more services, and urges people who may have “bunker mentality”, are experiencing alcohol and drugs problems as a result of escapism or a loss of focus to get in touch.

While lockdown may prevent social gatherings and most outdoor activities, keeping busy is one of the best coping mechanisms, Mr Davidson says.

Elaine McWilliams, consultant clinical psychologist at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust, echoes this and the kindness theme.

She said: “Imagine you are in a pool with the water rising – the time to reach out for help is then and not when we are drowning. This whole situation is a marathon, not a sprint.

“Be kind to yourself, as well as to others. Give yourself time and attention. Take up up something new – I have started learning the piano and go for walks. I’ve started taking my camera with me and taking photos of small things.

“Anything involving organisation, such as tidying the house, can have such a positive impact too. It has that twin association – you are organising your head at the same time and gathering your mind and your thoughts.”

The North East and North Cumbria Suicide Prevention Network has also developed a booklet, called Every Life Matters, providing information and support for people who may be struggling to cope with changing circumstances and social isolation, which allows vulnerable people in the community who may not have internet access to benefit from information.

Get involved with the #KindnessMatters and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek tags on social media.