Devon Mind x Step One: Working together for better mental health!

We are very excited to announce today that we have joined forces with an amazing local charity, Step One, on a collaboration to tackle poor mental health in Devon in the wake of the pandemic. This joint initiative will look to bring more recovery courses to more people in Devon in the wake of the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19.

Coronavirus has had a devastating impact on the mental health of the nation. In Devon, an area heavily reliant on tourism and hospitality and where rural locations can lead to isolation, the true cost on the mental health of people in the county has yet to be calculated. In June of last year, estimates suggested as many as 12,500 people in Devon would be seeking support for their mental health as a result of coronavirus. As we emerge from our third national lockdown, that figure is likely to rise significantly.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, both Devon Mind and Step One have been working hard to identify opportunities to deliver services in ways that are as safe and accessible as possible – with both charities offering innovative online support. Devon Mind x Step One is a strong, positive response to COVID-19, drawing on the resources and specialist knowledge of both charities. It sees the two charities collaborating in an effort to create better outcomes for people across the county, when it is most needed.

Devon Mind x Step One offers highly accessible, free to access digital mental health and wellbeing support, through a unique blended approach to delivery. By working together, the charities bring the best Devon has to offer in online mental health support through a mix of live modular courses, pre-recorded webinars, and bitesize briefings and workshops. This is just the first step in a planned series of collaborative programmes throughout 2021 and beyond. Delivering support where it will have the biggest impact, courses cover topics such as anxiety, depression, bereavement and change management and everything is free and open to everyone.

Courses are now available for self-referral on the Devon Mind and Step One websites.

Speaking about the collaboration, Devon Mind CEO Olivia Craig commented: “The last 12 months have seen local charities like Devon Mind and Step One work harder than ever before to meet the rising need for mental health support in our communities. Our collaboration was borne out of a desire to ensure that people had access to a wide support offer – that they should only need to go through ‘one front door’ to discover courses, workshops and groups that will benefit their mental health. We will continue to work together to develop and grow more opportunities to support people in Devon who need us.”

CEO of Step One Eilis Rainsford added: “During the pandemic, we recognised people’s need for mental health support was increasing and our charity wanted to do something to address this. We have been running free online support and training sessions since last November and the demand for these courses has continued to rise. By working together with Devon Mind we can provide people with much more support to improve the mental health and wellbeing of our community. Together we will listen to our community and work hard to find new ways to offer more help at this critical time.”

All programmes currently scheduled as part of the Devon Mind x Step One programme are now available for self-referral by clicking the button below. More courses, webinars and workshops will be added in the coming weeks and months based on popularity and feedback from local communities.