11/05/2020
The COVID19 pandemic has introduced much transition in all of our lives globally. If you are watching the International news you are seeing immense increasing rates of infection and death, countries in chaos in terms of the provision of adequate healthcare and lack of necessary equipment, ensuring the safety of their people, financial instability and loss, inadequate supplies for basic needs and most people are in lockdown but fearing for the health and safety of their family and friends, who are essential service providers and operating on the frontline during this time.
Due to all this huge, sudden and unexpected change in all of our lives as we once knew it, many may be feeling disconnected, lonely, a huge sense of loss, anxious, afraid, frustrated, bored and experiencing an emotional roller-coaster of anger, fear and sadness. Some even experiencing heightened abuse in their homes due to the rise in frustration and anger.
There are others who are using this time to connect with their immediate family members, be creative, do things that they have been putting off due to time constraints, learning a new skill, resting, eating and enjoying just being, not doing – being. But whether you are the first or latter person, or you vacillate between both, we all may feel as though life as we knew it has stopped and there is no more normal, but a new normal. We are living in unknown and unprecedented times. But this also makes for an opportunity to step out of the familiar, of what we have always done.
I am a Clinical Social Worker with a special interest in depression, anxiety, suicidality and family work. I have worked in a therapeutic capacity for over 20 years and am passionate about what I do. I would like to extend my support of you and your family members during this time. If you or your child/ren are experiencing some or many of the intense fears, behaviours and emotions I have described, then I implore you to schedule some time to chat with me. A telehealth forum will be used during the lockdown period and then face-to-face thereafter, if necessary.
In order to reflect on this new normal, you may require a witness to your story and your transition. Someone to walk alongside you and help you reflect as you work through the intensity of the emotions you are experiencing in this time, process your fears, despair and negative thoughts, embrace the positives that may have emerged for you and assist you to be able to hold these positives into your new chapter.
If you would like to schedule some time with me, please message me on su***de.survivors@ outlook.com or Whatsapp on 084 560 1003 and we can book a suitable time.
Thank you and keep safe.
Lorraine Mitchell
