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Pro surfer Al Mennie swims through heavy surf at Downhill strand as he completes his 100KM night swim for charity in Portrush, Northern Ireland, on March 1 2021. Mennie has completed his 'Surf Swim Through The Darkness' challenge to raise awareness of depression and funds for the Aware charity which promotes mental health awareness. Getty Images
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Suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) has launched a hard-hitting campaign. At a time when the nation's mental health is under the spotlight, and people are not sure who to turn to for help, the ‘We’re Here’ campaign aims to generate greater visibility of the charities life-saving services. CALM
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YUO7LT2TXPL2B7EPIRGXMP3MGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=bbf9466ed4fa14e75945725fcc40b55b5d68321780dd25c9c2d5b3eb6fcd6d9f&width=400&height=225)
Crisis Volunteer David Whiting sits in his office, where he usually responds to texters for the crisis text service Shout. Powered by a team of Crisis Volunteers, Shout uses the anonymised data collated to give the service unique insights into mental health trends to help improve people's lives. In the weeks before lockdown was announced in March 2020, Shout was typically handling around 750 conversations a day. This has been steadily growing, often seeing more than 1,000 conversations a day. Getty Images
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A Samaritan's poster urges those with mental health issues, or even thoughts of suicide, to seek help at a railway station in London. Getty Images
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Newcastle United footballer Jamal Lewis is seen wearing a 'Be A Game Changer' t-shirt in support of 'Lets Talk About Mental Health' prior to a Premier League match. Getty Images
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A sticker reading 'LockDowns Cost Lives Too' seen on a lamp post in Dublin during lockdown. Getty Images
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Signs offering advice, reassurance and warnings are placed along a path that follows steep sea cliffs to support those who might be contemplating suicide in Saltburn By The Sea. The messages have been placed there by local man, Paul Waugh, who has taken on the responsibility of trying to reduce the number of suicides along this stretch of sea cliffs. Increased social isolation, loneliness, health anxiety, economic pressures and stress are leading to increased concern for mental health issues during the Coronavirus pandemic. Getty Images
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A public information display offering support to counter the mental health aspects of Covid-19 and the lockdown is pictured in Slough. Getty Images
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Prince William delivers a speech while launching The Heads Up Weekends campaign. The campaign sees every football team from all the leagues dedicate their matches to Heads Up, to highlight the importance of talking about mental health. Getty Images
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Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits students at the University of Derby to hear how the pandemic has impacted university life and what national measures have been put in place to support student mental health. Getty Images
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Pro surfer Al Mennie swims through heavy surf at Downhill strand as he completes his 100KM night swim for charity in Portrush, Northern Ireland, on March 1 2021. Mennie has completed his 'Surf Swim Through The Darkness' challenge to raise awareness of depression and funds for the Aware charity which promotes mental health awareness. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5N4NSMLOILS2EZGSDAIXIPYV6E.jpg?smart=true&auth=cf4c0fed6f196d29a6ca182c663ea8703b92bb8aa92e6b002ea3c0666236ec48&width=400&height=225)
Suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) has launched a hard-hitting campaign. At a time when the nation's mental health is under the spotlight, and people are not sure who to turn to for help, the ‘We’re Here’ campaign aims to generate greater visibility of the charities life-saving services. CALM
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YUO7LT2TXPL2B7EPIRGXMP3MGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=bbf9466ed4fa14e75945725fcc40b55b5d68321780dd25c9c2d5b3eb6fcd6d9f&width=400&height=225)
Crisis Volunteer David Whiting sits in his office, where he usually responds to texters for the crisis text service Shout. Powered by a team of Crisis Volunteers, Shout uses the anonymised data collated to give the service unique insights into mental health trends to help improve people's lives. In the weeks before lockdown was announced in March 2020, Shout was typically handling around 750 conversations a day. This has been steadily growing, often seeing more than 1,000 conversations a day. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M6WXUD37SL6UHK2LZKF4GNPU74.jpg?smart=true&auth=b458a41557e4c125ccfbf32c1c41ac80a4ef346326de9f6c12d142457938525f&width=400&height=225)
A Samaritan's poster urges those with mental health issues, or even thoughts of suicide, to seek help at a railway station in London. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L76CGHQAOEKTYLSRNCQCDRBAY4.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d1a99b3b01373b9e0b4a98cf18451aa4976b5047d6881361b0640ad36a16c53&width=400&height=225)
Newcastle United footballer Jamal Lewis is seen wearing a 'Be A Game Changer' t-shirt in support of 'Lets Talk About Mental Health' prior to a Premier League match. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LHYTBIU2ROF7XBMUM4PTRQCYJQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=b9b92080519cc53123768b9e0bb9618ed2e53944fc0a4eab111bbd8c4d83a13b&width=400&height=225)
A sticker reading 'LockDowns Cost Lives Too' seen on a lamp post in Dublin during lockdown. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I7SXZSPMIG7GUZBPSL7EL2RB2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=1cb19ac3e1adb58372dc71bac0757a6997ac928f20fca539d553ee39ac5fadd8&width=400&height=225)
Signs offering advice, reassurance and warnings are placed along a path that follows steep sea cliffs to support those who might be contemplating suicide in Saltburn By The Sea. The messages have been placed there by local man, Paul Waugh, who has taken on the responsibility of trying to reduce the number of suicides along this stretch of sea cliffs. Increased social isolation, loneliness, health anxiety, economic pressures and stress are leading to increased concern for mental health issues during the Coronavirus pandemic. Getty Images
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A public information display offering support to counter the mental health aspects of Covid-19 and the lockdown is pictured in Slough. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TGO4NN22TXCIWF34VJE63WWGBQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=fc663a7418d0b2ab92a6d8dd369dc114d61c1bf430aaaefaa52271661891f403&width=400&height=225)
Prince William delivers a speech while launching The Heads Up Weekends campaign. The campaign sees every football team from all the leagues dedicate their matches to Heads Up, to highlight the importance of talking about mental health. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7PCGEHI4VW4HAV7Q2A3QU5C4NQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=ab5474c4aef028ebb0ee43ae1ef1f8138566326d1b69ee9d13fcecc07c76a517&width=400&height=225)
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits students at the University of Derby to hear how the pandemic has impacted university life and what national measures have been put in place to support student mental health. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VI5OYDNPH3T2ZUMVAEMWNQTOKQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=d155410d90256ff1880dde5f96afecc78f5eba8f66bf1f7c051a5443f4c82ae3&width=400&height=225)
Pro surfer Al Mennie swims through heavy surf at Downhill strand as he completes his 100KM night swim for charity in Portrush, Northern Ireland, on March 1 2021. Mennie has completed his 'Surf Swim Through The Darkness' challenge to raise awareness of depression and funds for the Aware charity which promotes mental health awareness. Getty Images
Britain’s mental health in crisis after year of Covid lockdowns
Challenges of pandemic lead to rise in stress, anxiety and depression
![Layla Maghribi](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F41799156-c4c3-48e2-8cd3-750f14ad1b43.png?smart=true&auth=b17f0ecc14a9d21411e9eb2dfd97537a1d213deef0e49b230d0f828e9502e58d&width=70&height=70)
Layla Maghribi
16 April, 2021
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