Emotional Wellbeing in a Pandemic

OK, so, emotional well-being in a Pandemic is almost an oxymoron. Is it actually possible for any of us to maintain our emotional wellbeing whilst everything we thought we knew about our daily lives changes overnight? Possibly not, but, some of us are more able to deal with the curve balls that life throws at us than others. And the current global Pandemic has only served to amplify that difference.

But, this article published by the BBC, only barely touches the surface of the issues facing those who need to access services for the first time or who have their usual services suspended or altered.

Recognising you need it, and asking for help us difficult enough at the best of times. When you can lift the phone, make an appointment and go to see your GP in person, in private. The switch to GP triage over the phone doesn't encourage people to contact them if they are unable to guarantee that the call they make is confidential. That their housemates aren't listening in. 

Many support services have moved to phone catch ups / check-ins instead of in person ones. Including Health Visiting services for new mothers and their children . So, without ever seeing either the mother or the baby... The HV has to make a decision about whether or not to refer to the Perinatal Mental Health service. No easy task at the best of times, impossible to get right over the phone.

When COVID hit and lockdown began, we were asked not to use our health services unless we really needed them. Our GP surgeries became places where entering is by invite only, after we've convinced the doctor they can't diagnose us over the phone. Many became scared of accessing health services for fear they would catch COVID from being in the building. 

For those requiring ongoing support, from specialist teams, it's not been an easy ride either. Working practices changed. Routines altered. All of these also need rebuilding over the months and years ahead. 

Mental Health services are difficult to access at the best of times. They are rationed in a way that would never be acceptable for treatment for physical ailments. 

But, when we tell people not to ask for help unless they really need it. When we pause treatment for life saving treatments for physical conditions. People will think twice about accessing what we, as a society, sees as a non-essential service. 

Our Mental Health services, for adults and children, will inevitably be under even greater pressure when services are more accessible once again. But the reasons for that are many fold... We encouraged people not to access services. In some areas, the Health Board accidentally dismissed patients and told them to reapply to the service once this is over. But, also, there are more new referrals waiting in the wings. As the stresses of lockdown, and the additional pressures and worries it has placed on many families become clearer. 

The forced isolation of the past 4 months has, for many, been the straw that broke the camel's back. Those straws, held together, are now bales. And releasing them from the hay wagon is going to bring them crashing down the hill. 

If you think you might need help... Ask for it. Because the sooner you ask, the sooner you are able to get it.