topic Reflections on our current health crisis in Depression

Reflections on our current health crisis

Curleee — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 13:05:20 GMT

Hello there,

Just a comment..... but I've been asked so many times in the last few weeks , how I'm feeling about it all. I must also say that I am in no risky cohorts..... so maybe I have a luxury around that. But basically I wanted to talk about and see what others might be thinking, in terms of this whole thing. I, to be honest, have it at the very back of mind. Not that it's not important, but just that my Mental Health scenario always has to take precedence. (And in some ways, it would be nice to have the tiny luxury of focusing fully on this health crisis; rather than my mental health)….. so it would be good to see where are others are with all of this..... I am watching the wind (i.e. the virus) whoosh past me and watching it go by, but essentially, day-to-day, it is always about getting myself and keeping myself somewhere in the middle (emotionally)….. hmmm......

that's all from me, for now...… thanks for your thoughts

Reflections on our current health crisis

smallwolf — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 00:25:01 GMT

it is a bit of a yin and yang for me - in some ways the situation has reduced my negative thought because there is something else to focus on, though when I think about the impacts of this is having on some other people it just makes me wonder, I have putting out posts on the parish FB page and web site regarding changes to things which is happening daily so far.

I have found that reading about what is happening is easier that watching the TV. I think it might be related to the fact there is a broader range of topics to read, while the TV goes for the worst case scenarios. I could be wrong but the advertisements of the news or current affairs shows tell me otherwise.

thats it for the moment.

Reflections on our current health crisis

Summer Rose — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 06:06:40 GMT

Hello Curlee and Smallwolf

It's tough going in our house.

My 21-year-old daughter has OCD and it seems that all of her triggers have been pulled at once. She's not well at all but we are taking things one day at a time. She no longer looks at the news or social media. I keep her up-to-date on her civic responsibilities in relation the the virus and I love her, hold her and just sit with her. She is seeing her psychologist more frequently.

Feeling very sad because she has been travelling well for a number of years but I can now see it all turning pear-shaped and I feel helpless.

Reflections on our current health crisis

Elizabeth CP — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 07:28:53 GMT

I'm currently in isolation with my husband. Trying to focus on the positives We are on pensions and own our home so not impacted financially. Have some food in stock so coping without going to shops. Have son living nearby who rings to check if we need anything. To pass things between each other things are left on the front deck & he rings the bell & then goes back down the steps & down the path so I can speak to him from the front door with several meters of distance between us.

Negatives are concern re husband's health. Visit to specialist has to be done by skype & plans for seeing surgeon to assess if surgery could help is likely to be very delayed, Because one of the complications of his condition leads to coughing he can't be seen by his GP as coughing is assumed to be due to this virus. Going to hospital they just check for the virus. Test have come back negative but that doesn't allow us to access the help e need for his condition.

I can't see my psych in person. Unsure if able to see him online. Still waiting to find out. Plans put in place to help me cope better (I have been struggling due to PTSD & multiple stressors) have been shelved because of the restrictions due to the virus.

I would like to see organisations like Beyond Blue to take the initiative & provide advice to governments etc re strategies to manage people's mental health at this time. Many of the things which keep people emotionally well have been removed at a time when people are very vulnerable. I know the measures to reduce the spread of the virus are needed but some thought needs to be put into creative ways to help us as a society stay mentally well. What do others think.

Reflections on our current health crisis

Summer Rose — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 09:50:49 GMT

Hi Elizabeth

Firsty, I am sorry to hear about your current experience and about your husband's ill health. We are in the midst of such a challenging time from so many different perspectives. My thoughts are with you both.

I would like to see bb take more initiative with public mental health messaging at this time. I thought the same during the bushfire crisis.

However, I don't know if bb are issuing media releases that just aren't getting picked up. On the other hand, I'm astounded that the Chair's public message on the website has not been updated in months.

It's entirely possible that bb is currently advising government on how to manage people's mental health but that this is happening behind closed doors. It would be nice to know if this is happening. It would be a comfort in this dark time.

Kind thoughts to you

Reflections on our current health crisis

Chris123 — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 11:40:49 GMT

I am so stressed out about this whole situation. I wasn't worried at all at the beginning, thinking it won't come to Australia, I trusted the government. Now cases keep increasing, I am terribly worried about our son. He is healthy, he loves school. The high school next door to his school had 2 confirmed cases, then our neighborhood got more confirmed cases. When I go for our weekly shopping, I see empty shelves. I didn't buy much extra foods because our house is so small, I have no place to keep extra foods. I keep extra packet of toilet paper in our car because we have nowhere to store it in our house, so I couldn't hoard anything like some people. There are just so much going on. My husband just started work and he's in probation period, his work is now going through difficult time and the top manager guy talked about reducing people, and I am totally scared that could happen to him any day. My work changed everything online, so now I am working from home, and our son is attending school, but I am terribly scared sending him to school. I know enough to be scared of this disease, I am terrified of is unknown side effect... I don't care if I catch it or my husband catches it because we are all adults, we had enough of good fun part of this life, but for our son, I feel so sorry we are living in Australia and how we chose our leader of this country. I really hope someone can answer questions I have regarding the potential side effect... what could be the worst of this disease... I know most children gets it mildly and don't die, but is there going to be longer term effect? If I keep sending him to school and he got it, how badly I would feel... I am working from home and the only reason I send him to school is because I don't know what to do with him if I keep him at home... I did keep him at home one day this week and he was terribly bored, so I sent him back to school... He loves learning and he likes to play with his friends... I really don't know what to do and I so wish I could send him to more expensive school because it seems more expensive schools moved to online mode already and they are closing the school from next week... How can I stop worrying about this??

Reflections on our current health crisis

Curleee — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 12:18:38 GMT

thanks everyone for your input. Great to hear everyone's comments. I like your words Smallwolf. I totally agree, re yin and yang. Today, even my viewpoint has changed. When I wrote my entry, I was in the middle of a spike and had not brain space for others; and as such, I had a priority of my mental health. But this health crisis is a moving target, in that the parameters keep moving, shifting and changing. And today my brain is (having come out of my spike) a little bit similar to smallwolf, in that it is a good means to get myself out of my head.

And also, one of my friends' brother died suddenly 3 days ago, and they had to rush the funeral (because of the virus, and possible decreased limits of people gathering together). Coming out my spike and this awful event has got me out of my head. So many people, going through such challenging times, with immense resilience.

Summer Rose, Chris and Elizabeth - I am extending my cyber-hand of friendship to you. I would be there in a flash if you were my neighbour....so am sending that same sentiment in a cyber-way instead.

And yes, I do agree about BB re them being leaders in this; they have been missing. I have never really understood their phone line service either. But I wonder if they are not wanting to duplicate something like lifeline...…

over and out

Reflections on our current health crisis

Summer Rose — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 12:43:49 GMT

Hi Chris

I can fully understand how worried you are about your son attending school. There are so many opinions swirling around on this issue that it is hard to make sense of it all.

To help me worry less and make good decisions I am following the advice of 2 voices only. The Chief Medical Officer and Dr Norman Swan from the ABC. I'd like to suggest that you decide who you will trust and then follow their advice.

That's all any of us can do. We are not experts. For what it's worth, my understanding is that the experts are united on the schools being open. It is also my understanding that the majority of private school closures are the result of positive virus results from members of their communities.

Stay strong. You are not alone

Reflections on our current health crisis

Summer Rose — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 12:50:11 GMT

Hi Curlee

Thank you for the thread and for your friendship. This crisis is hard on everybody in many different ways and it helps to know that people still care about each other.

I say this after being horrified watching people fight over toilet paper in supermarkets and flock to Bondi Beach oblivious to the public health risk. We have to stick together and help each other now or risk losing our humanity.

Kind thoughts to you

Reflections on our current health crisis

Guest_0784 — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 02:23:30 GMT

Originally, My parents were more terrified about it because my Dad has heart problems and has 2 surgeries very soon. 1. Open Heart Surgery. 2. Stomach Bypass. And if he gets infected, he won't be able to get the surgery's.

I was surprised to not be scared about it, because only a week and a half ago. It was only about 50 cases in Australia, out of 25 million! That would be about a 1 in 20,000 chance of getting the virus!

But that has changed this pass week. Everything that I knew was closing, nobody wanted hugs, or handshakes, I have to stay away from everyone. This is just too weird for somebody on the Autism Spectrum. This is becoming really scary as all the news is Coronavirus. EVERYTHING! There is only 1 report that is not about the Coronavirus, the weather.... And that is already starting to be taken over by the coronavirus!

And all I want to do is to carry on with life, even if we have to all put on suits, masks, boots, goggles, and gloves. I don't want everybody shutting their door on my face! I don't want people going and saying, "WE NEED TOLIET PAPER! STAY INSIDE, CLOSE THE BLINDS, STAY IN THE DARK, AND CUDDLE UP INSIDE FOR 14 DAYS! YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING! THE PM SAYS, STOP IT, STOP IT, STOP IT!"

Because I can't do anything, it really terrifies me, and makes me want to just stop existing, sleep until God decides that the second coming needs to happen because the world gets scarier every single hour for the past 5 years!

I just want everybody to just keep going on with their normal lives, stop scaring us! There is only 1,000 out of 25 million! Please keep things open so we don't break down everyday because I can only do nothing! If you want be doing stuff online, talk to my parents. They can explain to you why I can't do stuff online without my parents screaming for their lives of "getting bullied online". If everybody is terrified about it (which is sounding like to be extremly true.] Please stop scaring us, and put on a suit, mask, boots, gloves, and goggles!

JUST PLEASE STOP SCARING ME PLANET EARTH!

Reflections on our current health crisis

felix mendelssohn — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 12:44:52 GMT

Just wanted to post a few thoughts...

There's certainly a hell of a lot of media attention on this issue. Even people who are normally very healthy and happy are getting worn right down into anxious messes. Their usual routines which give them meaning, purpose and keep them active have been suspended and people are not sure what to do.

I agree with Elizabeth in that it would be prudent for mental health organisations to really step up right now, but of course they're limited by their funding, and the economic fallout from this pandemic is already looking enormous. I think now is a very crucial time for people like ourselves with lived experience of mental illness to look out for our friends and family who may not be as accustomed to the solitude and isolation that many of us have grown accustomed and desensitised to. I appreciate that sounds strange, asking vulnerable members of the community to look out for the healthy, but we as individuals are in a pretty strange and unique position to relate to the struggles that they may be experiencing and to make a tangible, positive contribution to society in this way.

Some interesting perspectives on this issue that I've either heard or have occurred to me include the fact that global emissions are probably going down. Moreover, we may see a shift to more people working from home/online in the future which could lower emissions in the long-term (less commuting).

I feel strange saying this as I'm quite young, but in terms of world history the last few decades have been ones of extreme consumerism, waste and excess. An event like this pushes us to more austere living, which may harm the economy as we're not $pend $pend $pending our dollaridoos on consumer goods, but that economy is built on the illusion of endless growth which more and more countries are realising is not feasible long-term.

We've been on the cusp of a post-capitalist era for quite a while now, and I will be very interested to see how different countries seek to reform and rebuild their societies during and after covid. Already we're seeing massive economic stimulus as welfare. Just how different is this to a universal basic income? I can already sense idealogues from every corner of the political spectrum forming up ranks....

One other quick thought, I think it's amazing that some deeply religious states have put public health over religion and banned prayer in churches, mosques, etc. Where is their faith?? Really makes you think....

Felix

Reflections on our current health crisis

Elizabeth CP — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 22:49:47 GMT

In response to the comment re churches stopping public worship. This is not lack of faith as much as caring for everyone. Our church was one of the first to stop church meetings in the interest of public health. We are still able to pray at home, read the scriptures at home and are encouraged to watch out for each other by ringing up and offering help. We're in isolation and have had calls checking if we need anything dropped off since we can't shop. Our church has provided resources to help us study the scriptures to help maintain our faith.

The basic doctrine of Christianity is to love God and to love our neighbours as ourselves. If all who have faith in God could unite in prayer to ask for guidance for as all esspecially our leaders to know what to do to overcome this crisis.

Secondly if everyone regardless of faith 'loved our neighbours as ourselves this would help. This means following the social distancing recommendations to reduce the spread of the virus, Looking out for the vulnerable, being extra patient with those around us because we are all under stress sharing our resources rather than stockpiling essentials & leaving others short.

Reflections on our current health crisis

felix mendelssohn — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 05:40:21 GMT

Hi Elizabeth,

Sorry if what I said came across as harsh or dismissive of religion - I was running out of characters and couldn't really elaborate. I realise it's a very personal matter and can provoke strong reactions. I think it's great that you can find community, purpose and belonging within your church, and then share that support with others in the larger community.

I guess my comment was relating more to strange situation that religious leaders all over the world are having to make. Somehow, they're needing to reconcile public health with public prayer. To present some global examples, you may recall there being a mass prayer in Bangladesh recently, which is an immense display of faith and submission to God. Similarly, many Shia Muslims in Iran are continuing to pray at local shrines, much to the dismay of their nominally religious government which sees the risk to public health. Even the great Kaaba in Mecca was shut for a clean early this month I believe. How they'll handle the Hajj I have no idea.

If we look at the Vatican, they're transitioning all of their upcoming services to online delivery. To an outsider with knowledge of the science and the way this virus spreads it makes total sense to suspend religious gatherings, but I wonder how they can rationalise it in their own minds? Surely, as God's chosen spiritual leaders on Earth and as his faithful, they would be protected should they continue to hold services? It seems to me like there's some serious cognitive dissonance going on here.

Also, if I might just take my cynicism to another level entirely, if a religious congregation were to have an outbreak within its ranks (I think this happened in Malaysia recently) it looks pretty bad for that religion, so perhaps that's a reason that religious leaders are so happy to close their doors. Again though, if they had total faith in their God, why would they have anything to fear?

Sorry for the ramble or if I've stepped on any more toes, I just thought I'd better give a slightly more detailed explanation of what I was talking about. Would love to hear other people's perspectives on this. 🙂

Felix

Reflections on our current health crisis

Summer Rose — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 23:15:02 GMT

Hi Felix

Thank you for your thought provoking post. You raise some really interesting issues.

I am not a religious expert, haven't been in a church in years, but I do consider myself to be a person of faith. Due to a variety of reasons (primarily sexual abuse of children) I do not choose to participate in organised religion. I have my own relationship with God, guided by my principles, values and faith.

Disclosures done, I'd like to encourage you to consider that the move by various faith leaders to limit opportunites for public worship is both warranted and consistent.

No responsible faith leader would encourage members to smoke tobacco believing God will protect them from lung cancer. No faith would encourage members to limit exercise and over eat believing God will protect them from heart disease or diabetes.

The evidence is simply overwhelming that these behaviours are dangerous to human health. So, I'm not surprised that faith leaders are doing what they can to protect people from this virus.

I don't think that any religion promises that God will protect them from all suffering, hardship, illness and even death. Religion is not a magic shield. It is a set of beliefs that provide reason, comfort and meaning to millions of people world wide.

Elizabeth may know more about this than me, as I said I am no expert. (Nice to see you again, Elizabeth).

Kind thoughts to you

Reflections on our current health crisis

Elizabeth CP — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 10:54:05 GMT

Thanks Summer Rose, You have explained things perfectly.Our church has asked all members throughout the world to fast and pray tomorrow for relief from the pandemic. I'm sure God will be listening to everyone no matter what their actual religion so anyone who wishes to join by praying for the world to overcome this pandemic are welcome to join in whatever manner you want to pray.

Reflections on our current health crisis

Summer Rose — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 11:15:57 GMT

Hi Elizabeth

Thanks for letting me know. I will join in tomorrow's effort. Stay well.

Kind thoughts to you