Dear Editor,
2020 was a difficult year for everyone. Though hope is on the horizon, starting 2021 in lockdown is not how most of us wanted for January. It’s understandable that many people are feeling down and in need of a little extra emotional support.
The situation is especially challenging for those living with sight loss. Many have faced anxiety, sadness and even fear about the unique challenges they have experienced – problems such as social distancing, difficulty shopping without guidance and isolation from losing tactile contact with friends and family during lockdown.
That’s why RNIB has launched Emergency Mental Health Sessions for blind and partially sighted people.
The sessions are completely free and offer people with sight loss the opportunity to speak to a counsellor for an hour over the phone, about however they are feeling and any problems that are on their mind. It doesn’t have to be about their sight at all.
We know that the next few months might still be tough for many, so we want to remind you that RNIB is here to help. If you or someone you know could benefit from speaking to someone, please call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999. We can set up a chat within 36 hours and the service can be used as many times as needed.
No one with sight loss has to suffer on their own. Blind and partially sighted people deserve the same expectation of mental wellbeing as everyone else. That’s why RNIB in Scotland will always be here.
Thank you
James Adams
Director, Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland
12-14 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh
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