Coping during the Coronavirus outbreak

[Sophie_M]

We recognise that many of us here in the community are feeling scared, worried and overwhelmed about the Coronavirus (COVID19) outbreak.

Just as we have come together here during other difficult times, we encourage those wanting to share or seek helpful support to do so here in this space.

What are you doing to look after your wellbeing during this time? Sharing is one of the most helpful ways we can support one other – our community is also here to support you if you’d simply like to share how you’re feeling.

It is important we maintain perspective and support each other as best as we can, everyone here at Beyond Blue would like to remind our community that medical, scientific and public health experts around the world are working hard to contain the virus, treat those affected and develop a vaccine as quickly as possible.

The Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Service is available 24/7 at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au. There is a dedicated phone line, staffed by mental health professionals briefed on the pandemic response, that is also is now open on 1800 512 348.

Beyond Blue’s existing support service will continue to operate alongside the new service. 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 (3PM – 12AM AEST or email responses within 24 hours).

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...

As a community, let’s help one another through sharing and connecting and showing our support.

[Gambit87]

Humanity at its best mark!

i love hearing stories like these.

[Birdy77]

Thank you Mark (Matchy69) for this beautiful story.

[Birdy77]

I hope everyone is taking time and space to take care of themselves and have compassion for their anxiety during this weird time.

I live in a bushfire impacted area.

There has been such an outpouring of compassion and care amongst the community here, people walking past each other in the street saying "are you ok?" , people in the supermarket chatting with strangers and hugging them with care and concern at their situation.

Now, i saw yesterday 1 local smack a supermarket saff member and yell "that's not fair, you can't have that!!" because they were walking in the carpark with a packet of toiletrolls under their arm. I heard the supermarket employee say "i am taking this to a customer's car!"

No matter whether the staff member was taking it to a customer, or buying it fir themselves, it was 1 packet, and goodnees me ... a few weeks ago we were all looking out for each other ... now???

So disappointing!

Can we not jark back to a month ago and pull forth our community spirit, our compassion fir our neighbours, like Mark experienced today?

Let's look after each other!

I have been disappointed to see some call things that are written here "whingeing". It's called anxiety. And that is exactly why this thread and BB is here, and thank goodness they are, to help us feel more connected and less alone. As a community let's support each other in understanding, not judgement.

[Matchy69]

Hi Birdy and Gambit i thought i would post something posotive the great Aussie spirit that we saw during the bushfires.This man made me cry that their is still amazing people still here.All we seem to here about is all the negativity.

[Guest_1643]

Hi Mark that sounds very kind of that man. It must be very inspiring and heartening to feel the care of others just because you are a fellow human. There are definitely amazing people out there and it's great to hear that you met one.

[Guest_1643]

hi Birdy that sounds so upsetting and disgusting to witness that interaction re a worker being accused of "stealing" toilet paper when he was helping a customer. I don't see any of the writing here as whinging at all. I've read through most of the posts and that's never the experience I observed. Sometimes its hard to express things and I'm glad people feel here that they can type uninhibited their worries and fears, I believe it should be a safe space for all to share their lives rollercoasters, even on days when it is a struggle. We do not always need to be positive, and surely someone can relate/understand.

[Guest_1055]

I agree there is definitely kind humans out there. We just have to really see them.

Sometimes it is a challenge when we are struggling ourselves to notice it. But believe me they are there.

You can see kindness in:

... A big brother giving a hug to his little sister

...a person giving a gentle pat to their dog

... a person giving up there seat for someone else

... When someone genuinely smiles at someone else

... taking a meal to someone who is shut in

... Forgiving yourself for something maybe a mistake is kindness to yourself (I am working on this one)

.... Letting someone else take the car park space

....Sharing the last punnet of grapes with your hubby when really you just want to eat them all yourself ( ah...me)

....

[Matchy69]

I have a heap of Tangelos and lemons on my tree i am going to hand them out in bags when they are ready.

[greywise]

Inside of Sauna bath, would sun bathing do? I am Asian unlikely to get skin cancer

[greywise]

My wife and I are worried about our superannuation savings. We are told do not worry superannuation is for the long term. How long is long term? I am 77 deaf and crippled, my wife is 70 but both are in good health. We are frugal (our car is 20 years old) saved all our lives and only get relative small amounts of partial pension. The super fund would not tell me even when I tell them I would not hold them to it, they are afraid to commit. I know nothing is certain, any guesses? For me time is the essence.