Slowly but surely, COVID-19 lockdowns are lifting and life is returning to some semblance of “normal.” Yet for many, the fog of the pandemic isn’t gone simply because restrictions are easing and we’re able to hug friends and family once again. The stress of the pandemic has contributed to a variety of mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, and social anxiety, and these challenges will take longer to do away with than our face masks.
If you’re struggling with mental health as pandemic restrictions lift, My Discombobulated Brain is here to help. These are our top resources for managing your mental wellness right now.
Where to Find Treatment During COVID-19
You’ve admitted you need help. Now, where do you turn? Here’s what to know about accessing mental health support in the UK.
- Learn your options for getting help. Most people start by talking to their doctor. Your GP can provide recommendations for a therapist or counsellor. Keep in mind that many therapists and counsellors continue to offer phone and online sessions.
- Can’t see your doctor right away? These mental health resources, including hotlines, web chat, and self-help apps, are free and available right now.
- My Discombobulated Brain also maintains a list of mental health charities in the UK.
- Private mental health services are another option. During the pandemic, many patients have opted for online therapy through teletherapy services and independent practitioners. For example, searching “NLP practitioner near me” turns up a variety of freelance providers.
Peer Support Resources for Mental Health
Professional help isn’t the only place you can find support. Peer support plays an important role in mental wellness especially when recovering from a traumatic event like a pandemic.
- Rethink Mental Illness runs peer support groups across the UK. Use their search tool to find a support group in your area.
- You don’t have to leave home to connect with people who understand. Online support groups range from formal to informal and cater to a wide variety of mental wellness needs, including groups for COVID-19 survivors and people struggling with substance misuse.
- Wondering how best to support a friend or family member with mental illness? Learn how to encourage someone you care about to seek help and what it means to be a good friend to a person with mental illness.
How to Practice Mental Health Self-Care
It’s important to seek help when you’re struggling with your mental wellness, but don’t discount the value of self-help too. Mental health self-care goes hand-in-hand with other treatment options to promote long-term psychological wellbeing.
- Mental health self-care starts with attending to your physical needs. That includes getting enough sleep, eating a nutritious diet, and living an active lifestyle.
- Structure supports a healthy lifestyle. If the pandemic upended your daily routines, work on rebuilding them one goal at a time.
- Re-establishing social connection is of particular importance in the wake of the pandemic. It’s common to experience social anxiety after extended lockdowns, so ease in slowly with small, short gatherings to reap the benefits of social connection without feeling stressed.
- While you can’t avoid stress entirely, you can influence the way it impacts you. Develop a mental health self-care plan that gets you through hard times by identifying the self-care activities that work best for you. A self-care plan helps you be your best self during the good times and weather life’s many challenges.
Don’t beat yourself up if you’re not feeling like your usual self lately. Even as things go back to normal, it will take time for us all to shake the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. But with the right support and a commitment to self-care, you can get your mental health back on track once again.
– Sophie Letts,
Meditationhelp.net