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.  

[CalmCat]

Hey Geoff,

When I read "enormous weight off our shoulders and gives us freedom" it does feel like this with the restrictions ending.

What I am preparing for the the "aftermath" of the restrictions.

It is playing on my mind, however I'm taking things day by day.

Today was a rough day as the "aftermath" still brings a sense of uncertainty.

Hope this makes sense.

Regards

Doz

[ddogmillionaire]

Hi NinedyNine,

Thank you for sharing your first post. I am really sorry to hear what you have been through. It takes a lot of courage to express your feelings to others. This is the first and most important step in confronting your challenges.

You are not alone. This is a community that will support you and offer advice. Please continue to talk to others whether it be on this forum or elsewhere. By doing this, you will find a way of coping with your struggles.

Best wishes

[TheBigBlue]

Not sure if this is the right thread to post in.

But tonight I feel like my world has come crashing down.

i was stood down from work in March (I work in the travel industry) & it appears due to some weird rules & regulations the business is not eligible for Jobkeeper. Our company has been very open with us about what is happening & are trying to get an exemption so the staff can be eligible but it isn’t looking likely.

i am unable to claim jobseeker because my partner earns too much.

I live with my partner & we have a mortgage, but we aren’t married. I know these are unusual times by without any income at all I can’t contribute financially to anything - mortgage, bills, groceries, medical expenses.

i also have type 1 diabetes & have excessive medical bills. Insulin, insulin pump supplies, glucose testing strips. The CGM alone costs $250 a MONTH (Continuous Glucose Monitor). I need the CGM as I am hypo unaware so don’t realise when my sugars drop too low. This has resulted in me having seizures & falling unconscious. The CGM is a real life changer for me, however I have had to cancel it because it is too expensive.

So now I just feel like a free loading grub. As we are not married I don’t feel that my partner should have to pay my medical costs for me as well as cover the other costs mentioned above.

i feel like such a burden, my health is now at risk & im too scared to try & fight for a job (if there are any out there right now) as I have 2 autoimmune conditions that out me in the “at risk” catergory for COVID.

Does anyone know if there is any other financial help out there? Who do I approach?

The guilt I am carrying right now is so intense. I know the job loss wasn’t my fault, but I’ve worked my entire life, never been on the dole, never asked for handouts but I still can’t cope with this stress. Especially my medical costs.

Help! what do I do????

my company is currently closed until September, how am I supposed to survive for 4 months on nothing???

[geoff]

Hello TheBigBlue, I'm sorry for the situation you are in, but it's something to research for anyone interested.

Geoff.

[Moonstruck]

Hi Geoff....you wrote in a recent post "slowly we will be allowed to get on with our lives, but it will be different to what it was beforehand".. can you tell me how it will be different? and will I have any say in my "different life"?

[Gambit87]

Hey everyone!

I went and saw a friend yesterday for a few hours! restrictions on gatherings have been lifted to 10 people and the government is meeting twice this week to discuss lifting restrictions futher! I am hopeful for the future. There is light at the end of the tunnel, we just have to keep going that little while longer.

Will things be the same post covid? I dont think it will be totally the same, I feel social distancing will become a norm and there will be more emphasis on personal hygiene.

The only thing I feel will suffer is international travel and holidays. I feel we wont be able to travel as freely as we did pre-covid, atleast for the next few years anyway.

[Guest_1584]

lt'll only be until they're on top of this , things will be steady as she goes for awhile and we'll still have to use care but hopefully after that or a vaccine's found , they're trialing a few right now, or at least something that can help control it, life will be normal again.

[Speak Your Truth]

I don’t know how I’m going to go on like this with all the restrictions that could be indefinite, there’s no meaningful end to it in sight. I’m not suicidal but I’m starting to ask myself what’s the point. ??? I have very little support in the community I live in, no family anywhere, nothing to look forward to, no purpose. I have things I could be doing but there’s an overwhelming sense of just doing them to fill in time, not because I’m really interested. It’s really cold where I live now, too cold to be outside much to walk and there’s nowhere to go away from home that’s warm, so I have no option but to stay here. I don’t want to get out of bed in the mornings, I’ve no motivation to clean up the kitchen or anything else.

Help please someone

[Hanna3]

Hi Cala,

I'm sorry you're finding it so hard, a lot of people are so you're not alone in that! I have no family and not much support in this town either. We have our dogs, so I take mine for a lovely walk each morning and really enjoy that. There are other people walking to say hello to. I am also taking records of interesting gravestones in the local churchyard as it's one of the oldest in Australia and many of the headstones are wearing and I'm trying to record what they say while it's still possible to read them. Some are First Fleeters so their history is fascinating. Then I play nice music, watch good DVDs, read good books.

Are there any things you can find that give you some pleasure and diversion from covid19? Can you take your dog for a nice walk, sit out with him/her in the sunshine, pot some plants, look around the local nursery, read something you enjoy, do some craft, Google things that interest you, anything that you enjoy?

Also is there a friend anywhere you can ring and have a chat to sometimes? I have a friend interstate that I chat to most days. Is there a local church that might give you support (they usually have someone in the office). Also these forums can be a help. I'm truly sorry you're feeling so alone, and hope you can find some little thing that gives you pleasure each day? Sending warmest wishes.

[Speak Your Truth]

Thanks for your support Hanna 💐