Episode 3: Managing Fears about the Future
This episode was created for you by Shout 85258
Sarah Kendrick is the Head of Quality at Mental Health Innovations, where she works on crisis text line service, Shout. It’s an uncertain time for us all at the moment, with so much change in our daily lives, and a lot of unknowns in our future. Sarah talks us through her top tips for managing our fears about the future.
About Shout
Shout is a 24/7 UK crisis text service available for times when people feel they need immediate support.
By texting ‘SHOUT’ to ‘85258’ a Texter will be put in touch with a trained Crisis Volunteer (CV) who will chat to them using trained techniques via text. The service is designed to help individuals to think more clearly and to take their next steps to feeling better.
Transcript for Episode 3
VO: 60 Second Support
Professor Green: Hello. I’m Professor Green, bringing you help and advice from some amazing people during the coronavirus pandemic.
In times like these it’s completely normal to be worrying about tomorrow holds. So here’s Sarah Kendrick, a psychotherapist from Shout 85258 with some simple things you can do to avoid future fear.
Sarah Kendrick: First think about what you do have control over, rather than things that you can’t do anything about. That’ll help you regain those feelings of control.
If anxiety sets in, take a moment to breathe. My favourite technique is the four – seven – eight. That’s a deep breath through your nose and count to four, hold in for seven, then
breath out through your nose or mouth to a count of eight. Repeat this a few times.
And finally, talking through your worries with someone is helpful – whether it’s over
text or a call. Don’t feel that you have to face a problem alone. Sharing your thoughts can take charge of what’s consuming your mind, which may help your worry about the future.
VO: 60 Second Support with The Royal Foundation’s Heads Together campaign… supported by the Audio Content Fund.
Professor Green: For more tips and advice, or if you need mental health support, visit headstogether.org.uk
