THE NHS has launched a mental health hub for those affected by the Manchester Arena attack.

The NHS Manchester Resilience Hub is an enhanced NHS mental health service set up specifically to help people from across the UK, including concert goers, children, families and emergency workers.

The Hub provides a central point for mental health advice and support.

Where one-to-one therapy is needed, clinicians in the Hub work with other providers across the country to help people receive the care they need from services close to where they live.

Dr Alan Barrett, consultant clinical psychologist and clinical lead (adults) said: “Trauma affects people in many ways. The Hub is here to provide support and guidance and refer to appropriate treatment where clinically needed.

“As the anniversary approaches, people may find that they are going over the incident and their reaction again and again. It is important to remember that such recollections are just memories and they are not happening right now. It may be helpful to write some of what you remember down, or even record it on your phone.

“It’s really important to continue to look after your health and wellbeing after a traumatic incident, which means getting rest, eating well, returning to your routine, and staying connected with others.”

The Resilience Hub set up by Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership - the body overseeing the devolution of the £6bn health and care budget in the city-region - suggests 11 helpful things to do in relation to the anniversary. These tips include:

1. Do whatever you want and need to do to mark the occasion - join planned activities, join with your friends or with your family.

2. Take time to reflect in your own way.

3. Check in with others who may be struggling but make sure you still take care of yourself.

4. Think carefully about how much time you spend on social media and watching the news, switch it off if it’s not helping.

5. Spend time with friends and family or speak to a key adult - try not to spend too much time alone.

6. Talk to someone you trust if you want to, but don’t feel you have to.

7. Plan relaxing, comforting things to do and think about how you might manage if you are upset.

8. Get exercise, eat well and do nice things for yourself.

9. Keeping in your usual routine can be helpful.

10. Take unnecessary pressures off yourself.

11. Consider giving something back - maybe through helping others.

Following the attack, the Hub proactively contacted over 6,000 people who had bought tickets for the concert, emailing them a link to the wellbeing screening programme.

This online questionnaire allowed them to identify people who needed further help. The wellbeing screening has been repeated at 3, 6, 9 and 12 month intervals to determine how people are feeling and reacting and allows them and trained clinicians to track their progress through treatment.

As part of the Hub’s activity, it has also been facilitating return visits to the Manchester Arena for a number of those who have been affected as part of their therapy. Additionally the Hub has offered some clients, who are in receipt of trauma-focused therapy, the option to return to the Arena through the use of a virtual reality headset that enables the wearer to view a 360degree video of the location.

This innovative technology is provided by Salford University. Those who have accessed return visits and used this technology have really valued them.

Professor David Roberts, University of Salford said: “Our technology is now enabling people to experience the Manchester Arena in a safe and controlled way.

“I’m delighted to be working with the Manchester Resilience Hub to provide this new technology, and I hope the anniversary will encourage others to come forward and seek help or perhaps help us conduct more research to help others.”

Clare Jones, consultant clinical psychologist and young people’s lead at the hub said: “Young people have responded really positively to being able to incorporate this technology within their therapy plan, both here at the Resilience Hub and in their usual treatment settings.”

To continue to support people as they recover, the Hub has run two one day workshops, working with partners such as Greater Manchester Police.

These workshops allow families to come together in a supportive environment to share their stories.

The Hub is also sharing learning from these events both nationally and internationally in order to ensure we are as prepared as possible for any future attacks.

Manchester wants to ensure that everyone who needs support receives this, regardless of where they live, and where necessary follows this up with local commissioners and service providers, to make sure that this happens. The Hub has also secured additional funding for areas with limited trauma expertise or capacity to reduce waiting times.

You can contact the Hub by calling 03330 095 071 or email GM.help@nhs.net.

Further information is available online: http://penninecare.co.uk/support.