According to research by leading mental health charity Mind nearly two thirds (60 percent) of people across England say that their mental health has got worse during lockdown, but around one third (31 percent) did not seek help as they thought their problem wasn’t serious enough. While information to support those struggling is available online, some people may not be aware or able to access it. As hubs in the local community, staff and volunteers in Mind shops can help everyone seek support for their mental health through much-needed conversations, information materials in store, or by directing them to local or national Mind services.

The findings come as Mind reopens its shops today, Monday 15 June, with safety measures in place to protect the physical and mental health of customers, volunteers, and staff. Thirty-five of their one hundred and sixty-seven shops are opening across England to serve customers, provide information and advice services to local communities and collect donations to support everyone experiencing a mental health problem during this difficult time.

Mind are introducing a range of safety measures in line with Government guidance as they welcome customers back to their shops. These include all staff and volunteers being given Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including masks, visors, gloves and till screens in every shop. Measures also include changing rooms being closed, contactless payment preferred, floor markers and limiting customer numbers to ensure social distancing. Surfaces will be regularly disinfected, and shops are reducing opening hours to allow for deep cleaning.

Donations are accepted at all open shops, including two shops open exclusively for donations in London, where they will have a 72-hour quarantine period. Mind are currently facing increased demand for their support, campaigning, and resources, so donating a bag of items, on average worth £30, will go a long way in supporting those under strain due to the current mental health emergency. For those who have spare time on their hands, Mind is also looking for new volunteers as many are currently unable to work due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The remaining one hundred and thirty-two shops will open in phases – they hope by early August – depending on Government guidelines, the R rate, and learnings from the first phase of shop openings, which will be closely monitored and communicated by staff in the shops. Shops in Wales will begin to open when Government guidelines allow.

Andrew Vale, Director of Mind Retail, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome customers back into our shops, and are making their safety, and the safety of our staff and volunteers, our number one priority. However, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic means many of us with mental health problems are at risk: we are being left without usual coping mechanisms, while our health and care services are under pressure like never before. We need your support through shopping, donating, and volunteering in Mind shops to make sure we can continue to be there for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.”

Catherine Byers, Manager of the York shop, said:

"A lot of people have found lockdown difficult, so it will be good for them to see friendly faces. For those who didn’t feel confident speaking to someone at the time, here we all talk openly about mental health so they don’t need to be afraid to come in, and we can give them information and point them in right direction if they need more help."

The full list of shops reopening:

London:
• East Dulwich (Donation Station) - 96 Grove Vale, Southwark, SE22 8DT
• East Sheen - 211 Upper Richmond Road, East Sheen, SW14 8QT
• Enfield - 43 Windmill Hill, Enfield, EN2 7AE
• Islington - 202 Stroud Green Rd, Islington, N4 3RN
• Kentish Town - 257 Kentish Town Road, Kentish Town, NW5 2JT
• Shepherds Bush - 82 Uxbridge Rd, Shepherds Bush Green, W12 8LR
• Stoke Newington Church Street - 1 Stoke Newington Church St, Stoke Newington, N16 0NX
• Stoke Newington High Street (Donation Station) - 107-109 Stoke Newington High Street, Stoke Newington, N16 0PH
• Wandsworth - 463-465 Wandsworth Rd, Wandsworth, SW8 4NX
• West Wickham - 46 High Street, West Wickham, BR4 0NG

South East
• Bexhill - 77 Devonshire Rd, Bexhill, TN40 1BD
• Brighton - 5 St James' Street, Brighton, BN2 1RE
• Hove Church Rd - 44 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2FN

South West
• Christchurch - 21 High Street, Christchurch, BH23 1AB
• Clifton - 40 Cotham Hill, Clifton, BS6 6LA

East
• Frinton - 23 Connaught Avenue, Frinton-on-Sea, CO13 9PN

East Midlands
• Bakewell - Water Street, Bakewell, DE45 1EW
• Belper - 29B King Street, Belper, DE56 1PX
• Blaby - 10 Lutterworth Road, Blaby, LE8 4DN
• Retford - Unit 2, Spa Lane, Retford, DN22 6EA
• Sherwood - 648 Mansfield Rd, Sherwood, NG5 2GA
• Stamford - 25 High Street, Stamford, PE9 2AY

Yorkshire and Humberside
• Stokesley - 12 Bridge Road, Stokesley, TS9 5AA
• Whitby - 4 Flowergate, Whitby, YO21 3BA
• Yarm - 74 High Street , Yarm, TS15 9AH
• Brighouse - 35 Commercial Street, Brighouse, HD6 1AF
• Moortown - 2-3 Harrogate Parade, Moortown, LS17 6PX
• Pickering - 18 Market Place, Pickering, YO18 7AE
• Rothwell - Unit 5, Jail Yard Parade, Rothwell, LS26 0AF
• Scarborough - 7/9 North Marine Rd, Scarborough, YO12 7EY
• York - 25 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LW

North East
• Barnard Castle - 41 Market Place, Barnard Castle, DL12 8NE

North West
• Ashton-in-Makerfield - Unit 6 The Gerard Centre, Ashton-in-Makerfield, WN4 9AN
• Didsbury - 715 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, M20 6WF
• Lytham - 70 Clifton Street, Lytham, FY8 5EW

Notes to Editors:

Mind have introduced a range of measures to ensure staff and customers feel safe in our shops.

• Context to Mind’s survey:
o Mind surveyed adults (18+) about the impact of coronavirus on mental health.
o The survey finished on 18 May 2020 and lasted a total of five weeks, with 11,511 respondents in England.
o The survey was predominantly promoted using Mind's existing channels and therefore the sample is not representative of the general population and includes a higher representation of people with experience of mental health problems

• Public Mental Health