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.  

[lunastone]

Hope you get some help for the grocery etc with the quarantine.

@caroline: it is tough time for everyone. Hope the helpline helps if you want to talk to someone. I have developed anxiety through these......

[lunastone]

@moon and @golden: really wonder how our old pal, tangney is doing. I wish there is a web space where we all like minded people could meet virtually -- not that i like virtual world so much but at least a space to have
'human interaction'. Given that so many of us have been in this head space and helpline seems helping and not helping sometime. I have a small mom support group online from moms all over australia -- it started off on a public forum (not tax payer funded) and then spinned off into a private group for those who got along. They mostly talked about kid stuff rather than sensitive topic like covid or mental health stuff. I'm glad to find people here as i'm just in the mental stress and have the same thinking/feeling with y'all.

And you are right, moon, you have reflected part of what i am going through. Someone who lost a lot......friends, a job/career which i spent 12 yrs building up, health etc. I was once pro lockdown etc but changed my mind a lot since last yr because i lost a friend in 40s for a condition that could have been prevented for his death if he would have gone to the hospital to check out last year when symptoms shown up. He didn't because it was at the peak of pandemic. People were too scare to go to the hospital. He left behind two young children. Who cares as it isn't covid!?!

As for the protest, i was surprised to see only one local media reported the Perth one. Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney seem to take the headline. People have turned angry. I am too....I wouldn't be the one to go protest, though, as i even feel anxious to leave the house! and am certainly not anti-mask and anti-covid vax. Personal choice. My US friend is shocked that we are still pursuing the zero now that the vaccine is here. Of course, people have turned angry. I feel bad for Glady. As many people are blaming her, i truly think that she has done well for the past outbreaks. i.e. getting it under control without the drastic lockdown. People need to realise that this virus will be with us forever.....the NSW curve has flatten but i feel sorry that she is pushed to go down to zero to suit the rest of the country. Covid has also torn apart the whole country....so divided than before.

[Lauren57r]

Its nice to know Vic has a bit of relief but there is still an elephant in the room. I like many lost my job due to covid last year and I've been trying to get another one I even went back to requalify but I'm totally stumped with what to next as it seems like I'll never get another one. How long can one remain positive when we keep going in and out of lockdown

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

Just sending out a message of Hello and how are you? to all reading here.

Lock downs, quarantines, COVID news and fake news, loss of employment, break downs of relationships etc...there is a lot going on for many people.

Hope you all have someone to reach out to, a support number to call or some way of encouraging yourself to hold it all together.

For me today it was working out in the garden!

Sending kind regards to you all from Dools

[Guest_1643]

hi all,

happy that today there is a chance of hope for victorians, while hearing some ppl hear feel tired and over it as ther has been lockdown after lockdown and the relief has been brief. Sending hugs. It has been annoying and hard.

covid has been rough and difficult for many, and i'm also so tired. Tired of all this.

Someone asked me today ( a MH professional) - other than feeling sad and isolated because of lockdowns, how re u doing?

I found it hard to answer. i can't see outside of the lockdowns. They have impacted everything in my life, my work, my choices, my finances, my mental health, my frendships.

I wish I could adapt better and find meaning outside of these restrictions, but they have made my loneliness so much worse, it's suffocating.

[golden82]

Hi Sleepy,

Absolutely agree. Some ppl seem to thrive on being locked up and baking brownies or learning new skills. Some ppl I know are wanting lockdowns extended as they love this new world. No consideration for the rest of us who struggle. Whilst some of us find it so hard. I am like you in that I cannot see past lockdowns and that makes it so hard for me to try and get 'relaxed' enough to even consider doing anything. I am constantly stressed.

I was going to write on your thread - but I will put it here... I think you have done so amazing thru this. You have had it darn tough in Vic. I complain in Adelaide, but I could not begin to imagine the length of time you have been with this. Try give yourself credit - and see you are coping - and you are so strong. I couldn't do it. You have and you are still going. If that is anything to take from this - realization of your inner-strength.

[ecomama]

Hey everyone, big physically distanced hugs for those at the end of their tether.
I'm sorry you're going through rough times.
Sending MOUNTAINS of positive energy!!!

Dools I'm SO jealous you got to garden today lol. Beautiful use of your time dear lady.

Sleepy, sad face. Difficult times indeed for those living alone. BIG SQUISHY HUGS!

In my family, it's nuts the amount of work we're all needing to do during lock down.
I've had to put in up to 18h in a day to get the work done with deadlines.
Kids are working lots more shifts as per... their school work is suffering.

My friend who's living alone for the 1st time in 60y begged me to go for a legal walk with her on Sunday so I did.
She works FT as a Nurse. I introduced her to YouTube lol!

So with that being my only "social event" of personal choice in LONG time, my life is a LOT more sociable in lock down.

So besides the 500% increase in my work load, wearing masks and doing QR codes, nothing much has changed.
I only work on site one day a week but it's a VERY early start and late finish, then working from home the other 6 days.

Looks like the LD is extending for us where we live. With that, the pressure cooker goes up.

Best wishes to you all
EMxxxx

[blondguy]

Hey EM and everyone!

If I could pick a country to live in...Its here in Oz.....Heaps of Hugs and best to NSW in this difficult time

'wearing a mask says a lot about the person that does and even more about a person that doesnt'

kindest

Paul

[Guest_1584]

Nice to hear Paul , l've kinda been a bit Aus down last few yrs , l know it, so things like that are helpful to hear.

Does anyone get the new Vic mask rules from tomorrow. l thought they've say we must mask everywhere , inside and out , shops and stuff l mean , but on the street as well , is that right ?

And l wonder is it all of Vic or just Melbourne ? Bloody ridiculous up where l am we haven't had any Virus within 100k , 6mths far as l know.

Cheers to all and congrats VIc , free again , sorta.

rx

[blondguy]

Hey RX

always great to see you and thanks for your ongoing support to others too 🙂

I am sure its masks inside and outside (street) for a minimum of 2 weeks as NSW is a concern to the VIC govt

Its not being pro OZ....Its about being in a country that doesnt have the infection rate of many other countries

you rock RX

Paul