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It’s World Mental Health Day – here’s how to check in and where to get help in Manchester

World Mental Health Day seeks to raise awareness and change the way people think and act about mental health problems.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 10th October 2024

Thursday 10 October is #WorldMentalHealthDay.

World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness, and advocacy against what is sadly still seems to be a social stigma.

The day was first marked in 1992 when the World Federation for Mental Health – a global mental health organisation, with members and contacts in more than 150 countries – was initially set up, and now the chosen day in October sees thousands of supporters come together to celebrate the annual awareness programme and bring attention to mental illness and its the devastating effects in can have on people’s lives worldwide.

The aim of the international day is to change the way people think and act about mental health problems.

Recent studies by leading mental health charity MIND have revealed that more than half of adults (60%), and over two thirds of young people (68%), said their mental health deteriorated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during lockdown, and there has been a continued rise in people speaking out about struggling ever since.

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This why World Mental Health continues to be as important as ever.

Are you keen to reach out to someone, but aren’t so sure on how to start a conversation?

We know that talking about mental health is not always easy.

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But starting a conversation doesn’t have to be awkward, and being there for someone can make a huge difference.

Whilst it’s true that there is no right way to talk about mental health, and just the act of starting a conversation itself could have a significant impact on someone who needs it, that doesn’t mean we’re always confident approaching the subject, so we’ve rounded up five top tips to guide you and make sure you’re lending a hand in a helpful way. 

Check them out here.

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Thursday 10 October is World Mental Health Day / Credit: Dan Meyers (via Unpslash)

Are you struggling with your mental health?

If you or anyone you know is struggling right now, please know that you are never alone and that there are so many different places you can reach out to for support right here in Greater Manchester.

Suffering in silence never need be the way.

  • Manchester Mind – An organisation that has supported people in Manchester for over 30 years. Most services are now available over the phone, by email or video call. The number is 0161 769 5732 and the opening hours are Monday – Friday, 10am -2pm.
  • The GM Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust – The local NHS helpline is open 24/7 which you can call any time, day or night, if you feel your mental health is beginning to suffer: 0800 953 0285.
  • Andy’s Man Club – A group dedicated to starting conversations about mental health, assuring people that it’s ok to talk. You can contact them by email on: [email protected].
  • CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably supports people via phone and webchat. You can call 0800 58 58 58 or speak to a support worker online. Open 5pm – midnight.
  • Samaritans – The Manchester & Salford Samaritans offer emotional support by telephone and email. The phone lines and email support are available 24/7. Call 116 123 or visit the website.
Top 5 tips for starting conversations about mental health

The Manc Group is also here to help too.

There are real people behind our platforms, and our DMs are always open, so we encourage you to drop us a message should you ever need a chat, and we’ll be more than happy to help point you in the right direction towards the best help possible.

And remember, no matter how many times it may have been said before, it cannot be said enough – it’s okay not to be okay, and your emotions are always valid.

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We got this, Manchester.

Featured Image – Andrew Neel (via Pexels)

News

Deliveroo is set for a multi-billion dollar buyout from a takeaway rival

Danny Jones Danny Jones Deliveroo DoorDarsh takeover buyout

UK takeaway service Deliveroo is set for a massive takeover by a fellow delivery business rival, said to be worth several billion.

The British multinational is known nationwide, occupying one of the biggest market shares alongside competitors Just Eat and Uber Eats, but now the takeaway delivery service is set to be swallowed up by an even bigger brand based in the US.

As reported on Tuesday, 6 May, American delivery firm DoorDash – the biggest of its kind in the States – looks set to complete an estimated £2.9 billion buyout, which will see Deliveroo folded into their growing global portfolio.

This massive deal will see the company’s presence in more than 40 countries further consolidated, already serving somewhere in the region of 50 million customers every month.

According to the likes of Reuters, Bloomberg and BBC, DoorDash is offering 180p per share, which is a 44% increase on Deliveroo’s share price from the point when initial takeover talks were made public in April 2025.

Speaking in a joint statement on the impending buyout, the two firms said: “The combination with Deliveroo will strengthen DoorDash’s position as a leading global platform in local commerce.”

Founded by chief executive Will Shu back in 2013, Deliveroo is now considered one of the big three in the food delivery industry’s UK scene, but is set to get much bigger under the DoorDash umbrella.

As for DoorDash, CEO and co-founder Tony Xu went on to add: “Coming together with teams that have similar visions and values accelerates our work to achieve that mission. Deliveroo is just such a team and one that I have long admired.

“Like DoorDash, Deliveroo is obsessively focused on their customers – consumers, merchants, and riders. They work day in and day out to improve their consumer value proposition, bring new services to local businesses, and offer flexibility and support to riders.”

Read more:

This isn’t the only big move they’ve made even just this week; in fact, the giant not only purchased Deliveroo but also New York’s restaurant technology company, SevenRooms Inc., which means they have forked out over $5bn in roughly five hours.

Put simply, this seriously big business and even bigger money that could make a big impact on UK hospitality and culinary convenience.

Obviously, full ratification via the SEC and so on is yet to be announced, but it looks like pretty much a done deal already.

So yeah, be prepared to see the name DoorDash being advertised up and down the country a lot more moving forward.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — @shopblocks/Focal Foto (via Flickr)

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Two ‘quick-thinking’ GMP officers praised for saving baby’s life after suffering epileptic seizure

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Two ‘quick-thinking’ police officers have been praised for saving baby’s life after they suffering epileptic seizure.

After PCs Harry Moore and Alexandra Higginson were called to reports of a concern for welfare at an address in the Gorton area of Manchester, they managed to save the life of an eight-month-old baby who had suffered a seizure.

The two Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers recounted the events as they unfolded.

“When we entered the street, the baby’s father was already running towards us with the baby in his arms,” explained PC Moore.

“The baby was unconscious at the time with a very irregular breathing pattern, so I immediately took the child from the father and started performing CPR. Whilst performing CPR, I had to give the recovery breaths into the baby’s nose because he had a locked jaw, which I now realise was because of the seizure.”

The ambulance came roughly five minutes after police arrived on the scene.

After paramedics arrived, they took the baby into the ambulance, where he then proceeded had another seizure, but not long after, he started crying loudly which meant he was back to breathing again.

“I told the father, who was just outside the ambulance at the time, and he was so relieved and gave me a hug,” PC Moore continued. “This is a moment I will never forget.”

PC Moore also praised his colleague PC Higginson, adding: “I can’t state enough how much of a team effort this job was. My colleague did an absolutely fantastic job of passing important information along as appropriate and we worked together as a team.

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“Alex travelled to hospital in the ambulance with the mother and baby and I followed separately. Alex constantly relayed vital information and got the details of all parties involved, which was really helpful.

“We hope the baby and family they are all doing well and that the baby is happy and recovering.”

Featured Image – GMP

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