COLOURING books, herb-growing kits and other self care items will be delivered to mental health patients in Glasgow to help them cope during the pandemic.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s mental health unit in the south of the city will deliver the self care boxes to 400 service users.

Megan Cassidy, a senior occupational therapist came up with the idea to help adults with psychosis and mood disorders to improve their concentration and manage feelings of stress, anxiety and isolation.

She said: “Mental health services need to be creative, adaptable and practical. These are skills the South Glasgow Community Mental Health Team’s occupational therapists used to create the self care boxes.

“Making activities accessible has always been a hallmark of occupational therapy practice and the self care boxes ensure that, even during lockdown restrictions, our service users have access to the tools and advice to help them maintain their health.”

The boxes will include things herb growing kits, colouring books to help with concentration, notebooks to aid communication with friends and family, weekly planners to help plan a weekly activity structure, relaxation advice and tips on sleeping well.

Early feedback from users suggests patients are making good use of the boxes, according to research carried out by the health board.

Recipients praised the inclusion of hand lotion to soothe hands left dry by frequent washing. They also benefitted from a stress ball included in the box, which at least one user reported as having reduced self-harming.

The health board said that the initial findings were promising and showed the boxes were helping with people’s mental health, but that this was not conclusive.

It is hoped that the boxes will mean people are still supported while face-to-face sessions and help are restricted due to social distancing rules to stem the spread of Covid-19.

Fiona Brown, lead occupational therapist for South Glasgow Community Mental Health Teams, said: “We are all living through difficult circumstances right now. We hope with our new initiative, we can help those who are struggling with their mental health in a new and innovative way.

“The self care boxes are designed to help patients who have been unable to access their usual activities to manage their mental health, experienced loss of confidence, increased stress and anxiety and isolation during the pandemic.”