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.  

[Sophie_M]

Hey ChookDad,

We’re really glad you could come to the forum to share this with our community. We’re so sorry to hear about your loss, and about how hard it’s been to discuss this. That must be horrible. We know it isn’t easy to share something like this, but we think it’s a powerful step and we really appreciate your openness and bravery in sharing.

Are you connected with any bereavement or mental health support currently? This is obviously an incredibly painful time, and it’s really important you and your family are supported through it. We'd highly recommend talking to Griefline, on 1300 845 745 (6am to midnight AEST every day). We also want to invite you to reach out to our support service on 1300 22 4636 to discuss how you are feeling. They are experts in supporting people going through this and will listen in a kind, understanding and non-judgmental way. You can reach us through online chat, too.

We’d love for you to start a thread of your own to share more of your story and your perspectives, if you feel up to it. 

Thanks again for sharing here. We hope this helps you towards getting some support with this, and we hope you can be as kind to yourself as you have been in sharing with the community here.

Kind regards,

Sophie M

[mmMekitty]

hi ChookDad,

I'm so sad to hear about your mum's death from COVID-19, & how disappointed you are with the with the age care she received. I'm sure you will be feeling very angry. Let down, too, by the people around you, who don't seem to understand the great loss in your life. To recieve the messages & the expectations you 'should be over it by now' & getting on with things like they are, is most unfair, inconsiderate & unsympathetic as I can imagine.

I'm glad Sophie_M has given you good advice. I'd welcome a thread where we could talk more.

Warm regards

mmMekitty

[blondguy]

Hello ChookDad

my heartfelt condolences for the loss of your mum..not to mention the pain you are going through

Paul

[Fiatlux]

I need to learn how to make it to my front gate to pick up my mail without feeling as if I will get COVID.

This I went through. Working from home, my study looked out to the front yard. I would see the post arrive, but couldn’t go out to get it. I am o.k. Now. It gets easier.

[Fiatlux]

Hi ChookDad,

I lost my dad in August 2011 and I miss him like more than ever.

I understand your grief. My siblings and even my mum all appeared to be ok and moving on after the funeral. Like you are only allowed to grieve for that week. Yet I just couldn’t “move on”.

My grief hit me really hard several months after, when the reality hit, that Dad wasn’t coming back. Father’s Day, Christmas Day all the days we got together were no more.

My grief is always here with me. It never leaves but I deal with it different Now.

My Dad got influenza virus and passed very suddenly. I was in shock for quite a while.

Peace to you 🙏🏼

[BunnyRabbit]

Hi ChookDad

I'm so sorry for you loss. I can't imagine how you're feeling. Sending you virtual hugs. Thank you for sharing your story on this forum, it's a great place to express how you're feeling. The people are lovely here, there's no judgement, just genuine support and kindness.

If you're feeling up to it, try some of the resources the moderators have suggested. Hopefully, some of the information might help you feel a bit better. Just keep in mind your grief for the loss of your mother is still very raw, so don't force yourself, be kind to yourself and let your body and mind take it's time to heal. The adage, 'Its ok to not be ok' rings true to me. Took me a while to accept that but when I did, it helped me build up the courage to reach out to get help.

It's very hard to open up, if you're not used to it. Maybe try write down how you're feeling and when you're ready, one day show what you have written to a trusted person. When I have trouble talking about how I'm feeling, I write it down and read it to someone.

I can totally empathise with you about the pressure to 'live with COVID'. I also have anxiety and struggling to 'live with COVID'. I had to leave my previous job because my employer kept pressuring me to come back into the office and get used to 'living with COVID'. They would use phrases like, 'there are plenty of vulnerable people coming back to the office, you're not the only one vulnerable'. Just the thought of leaving home makes me sick. I'm trying little things to ease my anxiety, just walking to my front gate to check my mail each day or sit on my balcony for a while. Once every two or three weeks, I might attempt to take a walk to the local shops very early on a Saturday morning when most people are sleeping, I've had mixed results, but don't beat myself up over it if it didn't go the way I had envisioned.

Do what works for you at your own pace, everyone is different.

Hope to hear more from you in this forum.

[BunnyRabbit]

Hi Fiatlux

That's so true! I have my good days and not so good days. I'm trying an experiment at the moment, trying to inch out of the confines of my home (the indoor space) but generally not actually 'leaving' my home.

Just as much as I can tolerate, such as going to get my mail, or taking the rubbish out. You're right though, it does get easier. I don't know if I'll ever go back to pre-COVID days but for now I'll be happy if I can just do these things without having a brown pants moment!

Stay safe and well!

[Guest_1055]

I am so sorry for your loss of your dear mum ChookDad.

I have never experienced grief like that. Maybe the grieving process is different for everybody. Maybe you are numb or in shock still. Perhaps don't rush the process. So sorry

[kjkj77]

Today is the day I tested positive for Covid -19. Im hoping its the less severe and more contagious variant thats currently sweeping through Perth, WA. All the same rather sobering to see those two little red lines show up on the rat test.

A good excuse to rest up and decline a rather full social weekend; bbq/pizza oven catch up in Spearwood, Freo Art Galleries, helping son out with three puppies. Then work on Monday.

March is a good tine to get this. Up todate with x3 vaccines and an opportunity to get this done n dusted before the winter.

Dont want to have the flu in any shape or form during winter .

Advise and encouragement welcome.

[mmMekitty]

Hello Kjkj, & welcome to the forum.

You seem to be coping well, adjusting your plans & taking a 'philosophical' view. I think that's great.

So, I wonder, what do you suppose you will be doing over the weekend? The time will go quicker if you have things to do, but not too strenuous, eh?

You can always take this time to do those self-care things that most of us tend to neglect, now you have these few days home.

Feel free to come & chat about how you feel & are coping.

Warm regards,

mmMekitty