Note: This is a guest post from a family friend
The phrase on everyone’s lips right now is Coronavirus or Covid-19, Miss Rona if you’re nasty. Over the last few months, Coronavirus has taken over the world. Impacting some physically, others psychologically.
With the rise of mental health awareness thanks to charities promoting it as well as weeks/days dedicated to it, the topic has become a wider discussed issue over the last few decades. Mental health is everywhere and is not to be feared. Whether you’re aware of it or not, mental health is something we all experience and should be aware of. Some people will have good mental health, some will have poor mental health. Since Coronavirus has swept over things as we know it and pretty much flipped any sense of normality on its head, the discussion of mental health is rising again.
For me, it has meant I can’t work my three jobs. I have no childcare as nurseries and schools are shut down. My lectures had moved online as the University was preparing for their closure, and cheer practice or gym is out of the question as centres closed their doors.
The first couple of weeks of lockdown seemed fine. I was balancing my last three essays plus my dissertation, all whilst trying to parent. Being a mother and a student, whilst at home with my own mother who was working from home, brought along some very difficult challenges.
Now being in week 203 of lockdown (being serious, what week is it?????), things have started to ease. I was finally able to visit my dad, my grandma and other family members. I have even been able to visit my best friend! Although lockdown has sometimes mentally broken me, left me physically weak (missing the gym too much now), I have started to look at the positives:
- Saving on diesel by driving less as well as lower fuel prices
- Being able to spend more physical time with my son and play with him (even if he drives me up the wall sometimes!)
- Rediscovering my love of reading
- Playing guitar again
Remember to reflect on your mental health during this time and check up on others if you can. Now is a great time to rediscover your loves as we will never get this time again!
Mental Health Charities
Mind
Phone number: 0300 123 3393
Opening hours: 9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)
Samaritans
Phone number: 116 123
Opening hours: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Calm
Phone number: 0800 58 58 58 (nationwide), 0808 802 58 58 (London)
Opening hours: 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year
The Mix
Phone number: 0808 808 4994
Opening hours: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday
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