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.  

[Guest_1643]

hi all

i'm stressed about getting vaccinated too. i'm not gung-ho about the vaccines but i will get it, bcause it seems best for my MH to have more confidence in getting out and about. still have mixed feelings and certainly havent rushed to be the first one getting it, as i was so unsure initially what it was all about. my gp has encouraged me to get it and he's a very sesinble guy, so alright, illl get it. No judgeements to anyone who feels differently - i see you and share a lot of ur reservations.

A vaccination seems hard to get thouh, but ill give it a go....

[topsy_]

Hello everyone

Well we are in lockdown for at least a week. I’ve heard talk today it might be longer. Other than now we have only had one other week of lockdown.

I really feel sorry for those places that have had months of this. I am very much an “inside” person. Everything I love to do is done indoors so I thought I’d sail through lockdown. Wrong! Now that I know I’m not allowed to go outside I’m busting to get out!!

So many people have it so much worse, I feel guilty for railing against my detention. But there it is!

I have reservations about the vaccines but only because they’ve been developed so fast & not undergone the normal length of testing. However my husband has stage 4 kidney disease. He’ll need dialysis eventually but if he gets sick that will speed things up, so I have had both jabs.

Thanks for allowing to vent here. I really appreciate the opportunity.

Cheers to all, T.

[Guest_1584]

l wasn't fussed , still not crazy about it at all wouldn't have even cared if l never got it tbh. No Covid anywhere near me in 18 mths. Ok l go to Melb but not that often and through all this only when they're open and all good. Odds of me being near the few people that might have it at the time and long enough to catch something are like a million to one.

But l dunno , things of the last few mths , bloody variants and God knows what else is coming , seems silly not to now. To boot l'd say the pharmacy 500mtrs down the rds doing them couldn't get much easier. Still can't be bothered and not keen though.

Just hope they don't end up having to jab us again every 5mins in the end for whatever the latest new one is. Tbh l expected this whole thing to fizzle this yr or next anyway, think the Spanish flu did that and we rarely hear of any of the others anymore either. Doesn't look like it'll be for awhile though now even if it does soooo , suppose l'll push myself through the door one day..

rx

[Guest_1643]

hi all

thanks for sharing topsy

u are most welcome to vent here always and the commnity on principal will not judge - ur feelings are valid.

I am hoping to get vaccinated soon, but first need to secure a spot to do it.

I'm feeling really shaky today. All the news bombarding me is makig me sick, but I can't switch off. Social media checking and making myself ill with informtion i shouldnt be reading.

im angry, upset, powerless, hopeless, and confused. I don't feel like i have a safety net beneath me.

My MH services are limited over this time and i can't gather energy to keep reaching out.
I was going to start a really cool mentla health group this week but its been postponed.

Im having such a tough time thinking that weere locked down further.

[annattt]

hi everyone.

this is my first post here. i struggle with anxiety and self-worth. i have been away from my partner for lockdown (they live in melbourne and i live in regional vic) and have not been able to see them. the relationship is quite new. my anxiety keeps telling me they're going to leave me and that they won't want to see me after lockdown and that i'm not good enough for them, they are better off without me. i know it's all in my head but i keep going down a spiral and it is affecting me so much. i can't focus on anything, i feel nauseous all day and i can barely sleep.

sorry for venting. i just dont know who else to talk to.

[Sophie_M]

  Hey Guest7343, welcome to our friendly online community, we are so glad you decided to join us here. We know it can be hard to write the first post, so thank you for having the courage. It must be so difficult to be away from your partner so early into your relationship. Not being able to see our significant other can really effect our anxiety levels in general and sometimes we will have negative thoughts creeping up on us. It’s hard enough dealing with lockdown as it is but having thoughts about your partner wanting to leave you would be making it even more tough. We're sure that a lot of our community members will relate to these feelings and hopefully some of them will pop by to offer you words of wisdom and kindness. If you feel it may be helpful, we’d recommend reaching out to our Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service. The website will be regularly updated with information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health during this time. You can also call our dedicated support line, staffed by mental health professionals, which is available 24/7 at the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service on 1800 512 348.

[Sophie_M]

  Hey Guest7343, welcome to our friendly online community, we are so glad you decided to join us here. We know it can be hard to write the first post, so thank you for having the courage. It must be so difficult to be away from your partner so early into your relationship. Not being able to see our significant other can really effect our anxiety levels in general and sometimes we will have negative thoughts creeping up on us. It’s hard enough dealing with lockdown as it is but having thoughts about your partner wanting to leave you would be making it even more tough. We're sure that a lot of our community members will relate to these feelings and hopefully some of them will pop by to offer you words of wisdom and kindness. If you feel it may be helpful, we’d recommend reaching out to our Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service. The website will be regularly updated with information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health during this time. You can also call our dedicated support line, staffed by mental health professionals, which is available 24/7 at the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service on 1800 512 348.

[Elizabeth CP]

I am like everyone else wanting these lockdowns and restrictions to be over so we can get back to normal. Each of us are affected in very different ways depending on our circumstances. Despite this circumstances the last 2 days have made me appreciate how important it is to follow the rules & advice to control the virus.

We are fortunate that the rules in Melbourne have stooped outbreaks spreading to our area. Yesterday my hsb had to go to emergency unexpectedly. I was so grateful to get the care we needed from staff not overworked or stressed due to covid patients or staff shortages. I felt safe. Today we had an appointment with a specialist and he will have surgery tomorrow.

Lets us all do whatever we can to stop the virus spreading including getting vaccinated when we can so we can get the things we need including proper MH & physical health supports, to be able to run businesses without the risk of being closed after becoming an exposure site, to be able to work or study without risking transmitting the virus and to be able to visit family & friends & enjoy our favourite activities without putting anyone at risk.

In the meantime let us do whatever we can to support everyone around us even if it is just wishing people we pass a good day or ringing someone who may be struggling. Hopefully any positive action we do inspires others to do something to support someone else. We all need as much support and encouragement to get through this difficult time.

[Sophie_M]

  Hey Guest7343, welcome to our friendly online community, we are so glad you decided to join us here. We know it can be hard to write the first post, so thank you for having the courage. It must be so difficult to be away from your partner so early into your relationship. Not being able to see our significant other can really effect our anxiety levels in general and sometimes we will have negative thoughts creeping up on us. It’s hard enough dealing with lockdown as it is but having thoughts about your partner wanting to leave you would be making it even more tough. We're sure that a lot of our community members will relate to these feelings and hopefully some of them will pop by to offer you words of wisdom and kindness. If you feel it may be helpful, we’d recommend reaching out to our Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service. The website will be regularly updated with information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health during this time. You can also call our dedicated support line, staffed by mental health professionals, which is available 24/7 at the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service on 1800 512 348.

[Guest_1643]

hi ElizabethCP

thats beautiful and i love ur perspective

lessons to all of us in the past few days for sure

i feel a bit heartbroken now, i cant quite articulate it - i'm not good at change, at adapting, and accepting all this

every moment the landscpae changes and the rules. now we have a curfew.

I am grateful to those who have reached out to me, and i have tried, with advice from my case manager, to honestly tell them how i feel. It is hard. I'm embarrassed. I wish i could cope better. But i'm unable to process that the lockdown was extended by another 2 weeks, this lockdown that was meant to end 2 weeks ago anyway.

hard times.