A charity has created online resources to help people learn more about mental wellbeing during the coronavirus lockdown

Maidstone mental health charity Maidstone and Mid-Kent Mind (MMKM) is offering free suicide prevention and awareness training to anyone in Kent who wants to learn more about supporting others who may be facing challenges during this period of isolation.

With funding from Kent County Council, MMKM has developed the course which consists of a two-and-a-half hour interactive session aimed at giving people the tools to help others and point them towards services available in the county.

The charity's chief executive Julie Blackmore said: "MMKM's training has always been designed to help people increase their knowledge, whilst also empowering people to support others around them who may be struggling.

"With the current situation surrounding the coronavirus, it has never been more important to think about other people's mental health, and so we believe it is important to encourage dialogues and discussions around mental health.

"Thanks to our funders, we have been able to greatly reduce the costs of all our training – in the hopes that we will be able to encourage people to get involved, whilst also making these opportunities available to all who may benefit from them during these difficult times."

Like many other groups working in mental health, MMKM has continue to operate virtual services for its clients while the current lockdown rules remain in place. They say they are still happy to hear from anyone requiring support at this time.

As well as the free course it is launching during the Covid-19 crisis, the charity also offers other paid-for training online.

Find out more about the free suicide prevention training on the MMKM website

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