Living Well: Emotional Support Matters

Location: Scotland

In partnership with Health and Social Care ALLIANCE Scotland, we are investing in a tailored programme to protect the mental health of people with long-term health conditions.

As part of our Covid Response Programme, the ‘Living Well: Emotional Support Matters’ project aims to support eight charities working with people living with long-term health conditions to provide tailored, practical mental health support.

Living well logo

Those with long-term health conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, and sensory impairment, are more likely to experience mental health problems, including anxiety, stress, and depression. The mental health challenges inflicted by the pandemic, lockdown and social distancing rules have been difficult. In addition to this, managing a health condition places even more pressure on people. With reduced access to health and social care services and networks throughout lockdowns, many were left to deal with emotional distress alone.

In August 2020, 49% of the general population felt anxious or worried due to COVID-19. This compares to 63% of people living with a long-term physical health condition and 65% of people living with a long-term mental health condition.

Together with The Alliance, we are launching Living Well: Emotional Support Matters to deliver support programmes in partnership with eight third-sector organisations working with people with long-term health conditions in Scotland.

The voluntary sector has great relationships with our communities and carries out incredible work, which has been particularly evident throughout the pandemic. Living Well: Emotional Support Matters aims to support third-sector organisations to grow their ability to deliver mental well-being support for their service users.

For more information, please contact Nicole Bell (Project Manager) at  [email protected] .

‘Coronavirus: Mental Health in the Pandemic’ Study

Read about the Mental Health Foundation's COVID-19 research study in Scotland
Find out more
Graphic symbolises the COVID-19 virus

Find out more about our Covid Response Programme

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on the mental health of people all over the country, but people who already experience inequality have been far more adversely affected. We have invested in our Covid Response Programme to deliver targeted support for lone parents, refugees, people from Black and minority ethnic communities, and people living with long-term health conditions.

Find out more

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