Coping during the Coronavirus outbreak

[Sophie_M]

We recognise that many of us here in the community are feeling scared, worried and overwhelmed about Coronavirus (COVID19). 

As a result, we created this thread to allow people to come together here during those difficult times and encouraged those wanting to share or seek support to do so here in this space. 
 
It was important with this thread that we maintained perspective and supported each other as best as we could, medical, scientific and public health experts around the world have and still are working hard to contain the virus and treat those affected. 
 
The Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat. 
 
There are some other helpful discussions taking place here within our forum community that you may find helpful to read or participate in: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/hi-there-i-only-just-joined-and... 

This thread is now closed for further posting. Users are still able to read through and find support through already existing posts.  

[missep123]

Dools- my thoughts go out to your and your situation. You are such a trooper honestly!

To all the single parents out there my thoughts really go out to you as well.

Everyone I hear you and I am feeling so frustrated as well 😞 One thing I have been trying to do is to imagine life after lockdown where I can look back and say well I'm glad that is over and now I can have some hope again. It can be so hard though. I decided not to look at the numbers everyday at 11, I kept reading so many news articles. I'm going to put my mental health first!

Thinking of you all

[ecomama]

missep you are always a sweetheart validating everyone's feelings on the forums. Hugs.

Hi everyone, a warm welcome to the NEW posters on the forums. Hugs.
We are so glad you found this safe space to share and have some support.

Hugs to all the forum friends I already know. High five peeps!

Hey singlemum, I'm also a single mum of lots of children in my care100%. Working FT from home also. The kids are learning from home. AND doing stacks of work shifts too - again.
Last year during lock down (LD), I ended up taking leave on half pay for 2 months to help get my MH sorted.
That helped.

My Update for this lock down and ever changing & increasing restrictions is, it's been INTERESTING.

Last LD I thought the same thing, why aren't ppl reaching out?
So I reached out.
As I spoke with my previously silent friends, I realised they were really doing it tough.
I know they're not single parents, some never struggle with money etc etc but they were still having a hard time. Some really serious health issues arising.

SO I listened - really had to pull my "judgement and comparison" head IN lol - mostly never got a chance to share anything I was going through... I connected and THAT was important to me.

Strangely, and with relief, this LD I'm doing much better even though my work is 10 fold that of last year.
And I'm not taking leave, none left really.

I never watch or listen to the news, no point really. Decisions are made without my input so it is what it is.

I won't engage in discussion about what might happen or not, I don't have the mind space to speak of fruitless things. No one has a crystal ball, so that's what I say to those around me IRL who want me to engage.

SO back to what's WITHIN my control or influence lol.
Completing my own work tasks.
Trying to maintain boundaries of work hours.
Scheduling support for the kids.
Feeding everyone, laundry blah blah blah.

Then there's the GARDEN, my fave.

Apparently there are Education Dept guidelines as to the HOURS per day a child can be expected to do their Learning from Home programs.
NOT until they're all finished but a guide to the TIME spent. About half of what some ppl think!
There are guidelines for the NSW DoE, not sure about other places around Oz.

Take good care everyone
Love EMxxxx

[Summer Rose]

Hi Dools

Just popping in to check on how you and your hubby are going. Hoping that you are both still in the light. Hugs to you.

I know you know this, but we are here for you if, and when, you need us.

Thank you for the sacrifice you are making to help keep all of us safe. And, of course, my thanks to the many tens of thousands of Aussies in the same boat across the nation.

Kind thoughts to all

[Doolhof]

Hi Summer Rose, missep and all reading,

Thanks for your messages. I am doing okay. I know I am very fortunate we are able to stay at home and we don't have to be evacuated to a medi hotel. I guess living out the back of Woop Woop has its advantages! We have a large yard to wander around it.

I've spent some time wandering around earlier in the garden, it is blowing a gale out there so quite invigorating. I have picked up some gum nuts I am going to arrange on different coloured cardboard pieces to take photos of and to see how creative I can be.

This morning I awoke feeling a bit trapped, hence the time outside. I understand the reasoning behind the quarantine. I just need to think of the next thing I can do. Too much spare time and my mind may quickly go to a dark place!

I will feel very relieved when we receive the results from our last required test in a week's time. Still waiting for the last test results. The labs are doing an amazing job processing everyone.

This may make me appreciate my job more! Then again, I am enjoying having a weekend off even if I can't go anywhere!

My thoughts are with everyone who is in lock down and is doing it tough right now.

Cheers all from Dools

[golden82]

Hi all,

This is crazy - SA citizens all in full lockdown for get this... 1 case!! What about ppl not able to access MH support - and so much more. Businesses going under. School kids getting mucked around. Weddings, funerals, grieving ppl in isolation. Meanwhile the pollies and CHOs lives go on the same, as they dictate to us how to live our lives and try and make us live in fear. Qld premier off to Tokyo. The examples are endless. Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately), I have a medical degree and a greater understanding than many who follow this and do get frightened by all the media and CHOs fear spin campaign. It is such a deadly disease apparently that we have to go and queue for many hours in our cars to take a test to even find out if we have it or not. Give me a break. I will continue to be a critical thinker - always. I had just made some inroads on my MH and fighting the agoraphobia I already developed due to the previous lockdowns and restrictions. And hello, welcome back agoraphobia. And I know I am not the only one. Sending virtual support to all.

[Hanna3]

Hi Dools

I really admire how much you are being as positive as you can under difficult circumstances. I think that's great! I can imagine it's quite an effort.

The gumnuts sound a great idea. Good on you for being so resourceful!

Very sharp wind here too, feels like it's off snow somewhere. It's good for a brisk walk!

Hang in there Mrs D we're all here to help you through. 🙂🐦💌🌅🦘🌳

[Domi333]

Hi everyone, coronavirus has really turned my life around. I had so many friends from overseas who've left Melbourne and feel somewhat socially isolated. The travel restrictions hurt a lot too.

I have spoken to Beyond Blue and got asked to focus on what I can do, it's a tough one because there's so much that I remember that I can't do now. I've been riding a bicycle and playing music but still don't feel I've recovered from lock downs and the current COVID situation completely.

[Doolhof]

Hi Domi333,

Welcome to the community. It is difficult when life circumstances change, when we feel we have little control and have no idea what will happen in the future.

There are things we can control though, like how we look at situations and how we react to them. I know there are many times when my depression only presents me with a very negative and overwhelming view of my life and the world around me.

At present I am in quarantine so can not go out at all. I am trying to look at all the things I can still do. It does help if you can concentrate more on the acceptable situations in life. I know it is hard at times.

Think of 3 things you can do tomorrow to help add some pleasantness to your day.

Wishing you well and hope you find ways to accept and adjust to this strange world we find ourselves in. Cheers to you from Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi Hanna,

Thanks. I was feeling a bit horrid so finished off a jigsaw puzzle, cleaned the bathroom, looked in a craft book, have dinner in the oven and have a craft project ready for after dinner.

I filled in my Gratitude journal as well for yesterday and made some notes for today's entry so I don't forget the good things of today. It is so easy to look at the unpleasantness and stuff I am not happy with.

My mind started to wander. I listened. Decided I didn't like that subject and tried to sing myself a song until I thought of something else. Covid is here. I am in quarantine. I have a lot to be thankful for!

Cheers to you and all from Dools

[SD0102]

I feel my anxiety is bubbling away just under the surface.
When this first Delta case arose in Sydney, I wasn’t too concerned, I thought we’ve got this, no need to panic we’ve been here before and gotten through it.

It’s now been 5 weeks, numbers are continually going up even though we’ve had a variety of styles of lockdown and the most concerning part numbers in hospital keep increasing daily as well.

We’ve had some very close calls in our regional areas, with an area not too far from me also now in lockdown.

We regularly have people trying to travel into our town from locked down areas in Sydney. No offence to Sydney people on here, but some just don’t get the impact of having a Covid outbreak would have on our towns, especially our health systems. Some small hospitals don’t even have a Doctor.

This time I’m starting to feel quite worried about whether we can stop the spread of this very transmittable variant.

My husband and I both had our first vaccination last week. I know everyone had their own opinion on this, but I feel that unless the majority of us get vaccinated, the Government is going to be hesitant to ease our restrictions back to what they were prior to this outbreak.

Stay safe & well everyone, and I hope everyone is coping as best as they can.

SD