It’s World Mental Health Day. The theme for 2020 is “Mental Health for All”, which I personally think given the current global situation is very apt and well chosen.
The past few months haven’t exactly been a walk in the park for anyone. Everyone has had to make some sort of sacrifice and looking ahead at the next few months, it’s not going to go back to normal for a little longer yet. When lockdown started, as a family we started a list of things we wanted to do “when the nasty bug has gone away”. The top of my list was to hug my family. The top of my son’s list was the pub (he’s four years old).
My point is that no matter who you are, the past few months and pandemic will have had some sort of impact on your mental health, big or small. Which is why it’s important that we all try and make sure we’re doing what we can to keep ourselves well, asking others for help when we need it and checking in on people around us who might be finding things a bit tough.
To help me cope and keep some balance in my thoughts, I’ve been trying to focus on the positives that have arisen from all of this. I’m not able to meet family members in person, but we’ve been making time to meet virtually, sending each other surprises through the post, and we are actually in more regular contact now than before. Work has become incredibly more flexible in the technology to support remote working, which we want to continue to use in conjunction with physical meetings when the Involvement Centres are able to reopen again, hopefully leading to even more inclusion and involvement. Even small things like knowing we’ll be in for parcel deliveries instead of having to go to the depot.
Although it’s hard and I know I’ve got a little longer to hold on before I get those hugs from my family and friends, I know they’ll feel amazing when I finally do.
Useful resources and links:
- What is Mental Health? – Mental Health Foundation
- World Mental Health Day – World Federation for Mental Health
- Optimistic October – Action for Happiness
- Tips for everyday living – MIND
- How we can help – Samaritans
- Remote working – Mental Health First Aid
- Help in a crisis – Nottinghamshire Healthcare
- Get support – Carers UK