This week is mental health awareness week and after the last year and a bit of the pandemic mental health is more at the forefront of peoples thoughts than before.
Much has been spoken about the mental health issues arising from lockdowns, being inside and restrictions on day to day activities but the mental health impact of lockdown lifting and people being expected to resume day to day activities cannot be ignored.
For so many people who have been shielding due to health or age for a year, jumping straight back into being sociable, sitting in pub gardens, going shopping etc is a huge and often scary step. I personally have not been into a shop for a long time, have no desire to go into a supermarket for several months still and as for sitting inside a pub the thought horrifies me.
Mentally not everyone can jump straight back into the “norm” and to expect them to will impact their mental wellbeing.
Let everyone move at their own pace!
There are some brilliant resources online to help with mental health
Mental Health Foundation http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness http://www.rethink.org
Mental Health UK http://www.mentalhealth-uk.org
How Rare? 