Again, today we face yet another extension to the simplistic concept of the ‘universal lockdown’.
The Premier and her health minister the ‘hapless Hazzard’ keep restating a mantra that “the lockdown is working”. Is it? Indeed, more people are getting tested, more cases are getting recorded, and more transmissions within the community grow exponentially. What did they expect? The more you test, the more you will find. Surly this must have occurred to them? They quote these figures in their daily terror talks at 11am with no vision of what an alternative they are considering.
In Australia, with a population of 25.3 million, the waring feudal war lords masquerading as state premiers fill us daily with fear. The percentage infected is 0.0083 per cent but the people of Australia are shut off from one another. Businesses are permanently destroyed, lives in ruin.
Cafes, restaurants, retail stores may never recover, to say nothing of mental health damage, suicide and the betrayal of children denied a continuous and optimistic education and future.
There is no apology to anyone. This is for your own good. We know best!
Vaccinated or unvaccinated, you’re still locked down because of a disease that is so bad you have to be tested to know whether you have it or not.
Our leaders do not offer solutions; they do not offer hope. They doggedly insist that what they are doing is correct and will lead us out of this in their own words a ‘nation disaster’ situation.
I am reminded that shortly after World War II, the British writer and theologian CS Lewis examined what he called “moral busybodies” in one of his essays on ethics. “Of all tyrannies,” he said, “a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.”
There is no doubt that the Covid-19 virus in whatever form (“severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2” (SARS-CoV-2). Delta, or Beta etc..) is no doubt a highly contagious virus and will be with us all as a community for many, many, years to come.
It is little doubt that mental health issues are becoming more and more prevalent as this tyranny continues.
But how do we deal with this ongoing dilemma? For this we have turned to those wonderful folks at the Black Dog Institute for their advice. We do this as a matter of public interest. This is what they have to say.
Being stuck in lockdown can drain your energy, but there are simple signs that you can look out for so you can actively manage your wellbeing during this time.
As we are sent indoors for a second wave of lockdown, it’s more important than ever that you keep your mental health top-of-mind.
While we had a taste of normality seeing family and friends at cafes and bars, the return to lockdown rules means that we need to consider the support networks we have around us in a different context. Without these people around you to pick up on changes in how you are coping, it is important that you are vigilant in checking-in on yourself.
Below are six things you can personally check-in on a weekly basis. You can track them on this easy-to-use template so over time you can determine when and how you can take action for your wellbeing.
1. Feelings
Set an alarm on your phone, or a reminder in your calendar, so at a set time each week you can quickly do a check-in on a scale from 0 (‘not at all’) to 10 (‘extremely’) of how stressed, anxious, or down you are feeling.
It is normal for these scores to go up and down each day and throughout the week but if you notice the scores are increasing and remaining very high, then it’s time to prioritise your mental health.
2. Body
Take a moment to notice any tension in your body like tight shoulders, chest, or jaw. Other signs that you might be feeling stressed include dryness of the mouth, difficulty breathing, and a racing heart.
3. Sleep
Have there been changes in your sleep pattern? If you are constantly struggling to get to sleep, waking in the night or waking earlier than usual, and finding it difficult to get back to sleep, these are signs that your mind is unable to switch off and relax.
4. Thoughts
Are you always worrying about the worst-case scenarios? Wondering if things will ever get better or if you will be able to cope?
Focusing on the ‘what if’ scenarios is not useful, and it is best to try to limit this as much as possible.
5. Reactions/behaviour
Every day brings challenges but it’s how we deal with them which shows how we’re coping.
If you find yourself frequently snapping at those you love, finding it extremely difficult to focus, or always depending on things like alcohol or food to cope, it is time to prioritise your mental wellbeing.
6. Check-in buddy
Choose a check-in buddy. This may be your partner, housemate, or even a friend or colleague you’re keeping in touch with via video messaging. Be honest about how you are coping.
Remember that you are in physical isolation, not social isolation. When we’re at home, we may need to be creative about adapting the strategies we normally use. For example, if socialising helps your mood, schedule a virtual coffee. If going to the gym helps you reduce stress, try an online workout. If taking time out helps, find a quiet place, take a few deep breaths, or listen to music. Whatever helps to settle your mind.
What to do if you are not coping
If you take the steps above and notice that you are not coping, you can:
1. Make a self-care plan
Draft a plan of action and enlist a supportive person to help you stick to it.
DOWNLOAD OUR SELF CARE PLAN TEMPLATE
2. Do activities to help reduce your anxiety
- Try to do some physical activity or get some fresh air each day, based on the current rules you can still get out for daily exercise. Even just an hour of exercise a week has been proven to lower depression and anxiety.
- Try to do something that gives you a sense of pleasure and/or achievement each day. This could include eating a nice meal, reading a book, joking with friends, listening to music, tidying up around home, or work tasks.
- Notice when you are thinking in unhelpful ways. Ask yourself, ‘is there another, more helpful way I could think about this situation?’
3. Get professional help when you need it
If you are feeling very anxious or sad for more than two weeks, it is time to get professional help. There are a range of free and low-cost online programs that you can access from home and complete anonymously or with the support of a health professional.
Try our online clinic for a personal assessment of how you’re feeling.
Given their sage advice, the time has well and truly come for governments to get out of our lives and let us try and get ourselves back to some form of normality. CS Lewis, once wrote: “Those who torment us for our own good, will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.” Mr Morrison, please, I beg you stop helping us and let us help ourselves. Please remember the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
By Mike Canavan & with the Black Dog Institute advice
