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Their advice comes after a survey of News readers reported that 10 per cent of people had found that the lockdown had ‘severely affected’ their mental health.

Some forty-two per cent people said it had at least ‘slightly affected’ mental health, while 21 per cent said it had had no effect on their mental wellbeing.

It follows mental health clinicians across the city reporting a drop in patients, with services appealing for those struggling to seek help.

Lockdown has led to several people suffering worsening mental health Picture posed by model/Shutterstock

Time to Change co-ordinator for the south east Angela Etherington, 56, from Southsea said: ‘People should know it's OK to ask for help. It's OK to ask a mate how they are doing.

‘It is difficult, and I'm finding it difficult myself, because we can't get out and do the things we normally do to manage our mental health. But talking to people and showing kindness is a good starting point. I know that if I help my neighbours with shopping when they can't do it themselves and take the time to chat with them that makes me feel better in myself as well as helping them.

‘The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week next week is kindness, which was chosen because of the pandemic.’

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Forgotten Veterans had to close its veterans retreat at Fort Cumberland but since lockdown its online services and their phone buddy scheme have seen a 50 per cent increase in use.

Retired soldier Gary Weaving, 40, founder of Forgotten Veterans UK said: ‘This has affected everyone, including myself. I have found my community - of veterans - as a whole quite resilient to this because they are trained to deal with difficult situations and a lot of them have seen this more as a challenge than as a problem. We were very worried people were going to slide massively.

‘The reality is this has even affected me so I know how people are feeling. Lockdown has made my anxiety go up and my mood is very low and I have struggled.

‘I am still working from home and my community has protected me as they know it's our business to make sure we get back to normal at the end of this. We are going to be needed then more than ever.’

Sue Forber, director of services at Solent Mind, said: 'This is a really tough time for all of us and I'm not surprised many readers of The News are reporting that they have felt an effect on their mental health, whether it's the virus itself or being in lockdown, losing a job or trying to keep up with home schooling.

'For anyone who is struggling the first thing to say is it's OK not to feel OK. There are a lot of things we can do to help ourselves and each other and I think my number one is be kind. Try to remember if people appear cross with you in public maybe for getting too close it's not personal, they are under a lot of pressure as well.

‘At Solent Mind we are not able to offer our face to face service but we are running a helpline on weekdays from 10am to 4pm. We have people there to talk to you or just listen, and if you need more than that we can direct you to other services.'

Speaking earlier in the lockdown, Dr Nick Broughton, a psychiatrist and chief executive of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘During this difficult time it is all the more crucial to ensure mental health services continue to operate and provide effective care and treatment to patients.

‘We also know that people are feeling anxious and worried about the current situation, and that social distancing measures can be tough for many. That is why we are also sharing simple advice and guidance with the public to help us all look after our mental health and wellbeing while we stay at home.

‘Finally, we understand that even after the pandemic has passed, many will still feel its effects. That is why we are already planning to ensure that people are able to access the support they will need in the aftermath of the current crisis.’

The national survey – across more than 150 newspapers – saw overall 40 per cent of respondents answer that their mental health was slightly affected, 12 per cent severely affected, 23 per cent not much affected and 22 per cent not at all affected by the lockdown.

The majority of News readers said the well-being of friends and family is their most pressing concern, with 58 per cent of readers more concerned about their loved ones circumstances than their own.

Just 16 per cent of respondents were most concerned about their own well-being.

In comparison, the national survey found that 53 per cent answered that they were most concerned about the health and well-being of family and friends.

When asked about the effects the lockdown has had on their relationship with a live-in partner or spouse, 40 per cent of readers who took part in the survey said it had not changed their relationship at all.

Some readers in a relationship – 12 per cent – found that it had brought them much closer together, while 6 per cent said it was beginning to pull them apart.

The national average of answers found that just one in ten couples living together are much closer together, and five per cent said it had pulled them apart slightly.

Where to get help

- In a life-threatening emergency call 999

- advice is available at 111.nhs.uk

- PositiveMinds offers support to anyone in Portsmouth facing struggles with their mental or emotional health. The service is a partnership between Solent NHS Trust, NHS Portsmouth Clinical Commissioning Group, Portsmouth City Council, and Solent Mind. Wellbeing advisors can be reached on 023 9282 4795.

– Visit solentmind.org.uk or call 023 8017 9049.

Mental health experts tell anyone suffering in lockdown - don't be afraid to ask for help