Mental health patients in crisis because of coronavirus cutbacks

People with mental health problems are ending up in crisis and at higher risk of suicide because they cannot get their usual help from the NHS during the lockdown, a leading charity has warned. Those struggling with serious conditions have found it hard to cope because their appointments have been cancelled and they have had trouble getting support from their GP, the mental health charity Mind said. The lack of care increased the danger of them self-harming, it said. One in four people who have tried to access help to…

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Cape Town’s water crisis is already posing a risk to public health

People queue to collect water from a natural spring in Cape Town. (AP Photo/Anwa Essop) The water crisis hitting Cape Town is increasing the danger of diseases that surge when people do not wash their hands. The four million residents of South Africa’s second-largest city are being urged to get by on 50 liters (13 gallons) of water per person per day. That leaves roughly 2 liters (0.5 gallons) a day for washing hands and brushing teeth, or roughly one-eighth the amount of water than most people consume each time they wash their hands and face.…

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