Mental health charity offers people lockdown exit support
GUERNSEY MIND has offered its services to those who are trying to manage life in stage three of the island’s exit from lockdown.
The mental health charity has said that for many the second lockdown has been extremely hard for mental wellbeing.
Clients had reported just trying to get through and manage, rather than feeling engaged with the community spirit that helped during the first lockdown last year.
Executive director Emily Litten said this time around it had been ‘less Guernsey Together and more coping on our own’.
‘The poor weather has been a significant factor in keeping people inside and increased a tendency towards drinking, eating and binge watching TV or social media as a way to cope,’ she said.
‘The added use of masks has been an unknown factor, and anecdotally has inhibited social interaction with others, increased levels of loneliness and uncertainty and a general feeling of fear about what to expect when you step outside of the front door.’
Not only that, but the work-home life balance had been impacted as many people had begun to work from home and people looking at emails at odd times of the day and night had become the norm.
In addition, she said employers’ expectations had increased, with businesses unable to provide staff with the same leeway as last year to take time to manage their stress.
‘We know from last year that stage three, although a cause for celebration, also leads to an increase in anxiety as we have to get used to interacting with different people, and feeling the busyness of life again, along with uncertainty about the future, and, given the ever-changing world news, a very rational fear that we might have to go into lockdown again.’
Despite this she wanted to assure people that there were options, including contacting the charity to talk things through.
‘Taking time for yourself, getting back into a regular routine, especially with work, school and home-life balance and not rushing to do too much too soon are really important strategies for moving into stage three,’ she said.
‘If it seems like it’s really difficult to cope, reach out to people who know you well, go to your GP or make an appointment with Guernsey Mind.
‘It is an emotional time for everyone and anxiety is a normal response. If it feels like you are more angry than usual, avoiding certain situations or coping in unhealthy ways, be gentle with yourself, just do your best and don’t beat yourself up for not being perfect.
‘Don’t be afraid to talk about what you’re feeling, cry when you need to and be a bit more lazy. These are all natural and healthy reactions to dealing with uncertainty and fear.’
. To contact Guernsey Mind, email amanda.hibbs@guernseymind.org.gg or call 722959.
