Depression and close family overseas - anyone else in the same situation?

[KC12]

Hi all,

I have been depressed from some years now and I have been struggling to find my place here in Australia. I moved here for love as my husband is Australian. He knows how I am feeling and although we speak about it a lot he can't really empathise as all his family and friends are 1 hour away and mine are 30 hours on a plane...

Due to the travel restrictions and my PR status, I am not able to leave the country which I thought it was okay during the worst times but seeing all the information about being trapped here until next year,2 years or waiting for the vaccine(?) is making my anxiety go wild. My close family(parents and sister) are overseas and not knowing when I can see them is really affecting me. I really struggle to keep my worry under control and it doesn't help all the news about it. My home country and family got hit really bad, and Australia's number is nothing comparing to what Europe went through but they were never stripped from their right to leave their country.

Sorry for the rant, just want to see if anyone else is in the same situation and it would be helpful to hear how are they coping.

Thanks

[Guest_1584]

Just talking to someone in the UK but her bf lives in the US. And he's visited and still come and gone 4 times right through Covid. WTH ? She said the US wasn't in a red zone so he could fly in - how could the US not be a red zone with by far the worst covid on the planet - and they're still able to fly in and out there too to boot.

And the UK even with their Covid yet they're still letting US people come in, bloody amazing.

[Belinha]

Hi KC12,

I so sorry for your situation. I am going through the same, the only difference is that I'm pregnant. So I am desperate to find a solution to visit my family. I was wondering what if we could get a medical certificate stating a depression condition and that would be helpful to spend some time with the loved ones. So that we could apply for an exemption to travel?
I would love to hear your thoughts about it.

Sending you love,

Belinha

[lunastone]

Hi, belinha,

it is such a difficult time for everyone. I feel like depression/mental illness is being overlooked atm. I don't know the right answer to your question. With 40k aussies still can't come home 1.5 yr later, i would say that even if your wish is granted, you might risk not getting a seat back. I have known a few ppl who have left and came back -- going for terminal ill family member and ultimately a funeral. But also have known a few ppl who didn't get the exemption to leave for the same reason. So who knows.......we know that virtual world isn't the same but i hope that it gives you some comfort to see the loved ones for the time being.

[katiers]

Hi KC12, I'm Katie (F25). I'm not sure if you'll see this, but my story is almost exactly yours. I moved to Aus for my aussie partner start of 2020, and when covid hit my flights got cancelled and i couldn't leave. I was awaiting permanent residency, so even after the restrictions lifted i still couldn't travel, my whole family including mum dad and 2 sisters live in the UK, and it was and still is so hard being away from them. my insta is @ktsalty, id love for you to reach out if you're interested in connecting.