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Author: elaine

Ask Jigsaw: No longer have a reason to live

Posted on by elaine

What should I do if I no longer have any reason to live and the only reason I am still here is for my family’s sake?

Jay

Hi Jay,

I’m sorry to hear that you can’t find many reasons to live. In darker times, it can be difficult to find any reason to live. When we are suffering with great pain, surviving each day can be a tremendous effort. Unfortunately, there are many people who struggle with feelings like yours. Remember that you are not alone. Pieta House offers free counselling, both in person and online, to those who are dealing with thoughts of wanting to die. Their helpline is available 24/7 on 1800247247 or text HELP to 51444.

Ask Jigsaw: How do you recognise emotional abuse?

Posted on by elaine

How can you tell when your being emotionally abused?

– Idkhelpmepls:)

Hi Idkhelpmepls:),

Recognising emotional abuse can be complicated. It can have lots of different names, like verbal or mental abuse, and it might have different meanings for different people. It’s really important to explore if we are being abused by someone so that we can protect ourselves, and get the necessary support.

Emotional abuse is systematic emotional or psychological ill-treatment by someone in our lives. It can be perpetrated by a parent, partner, carer or someone else that we have a relationship with. It can include manipulation, humiliation, aggression and intimidation that occurs over a period of time. We might notice warning signs in a relationship that could indicate it is becoming abusive.

Ask Jigsaw: No one to talk to

Posted on by elaine

I’m sick of pretending that everything’s ok when I’m hurting so bad and I have no one to talk to I’m just so alone and wish I had someone to turn to what should I do since I have no one to talk to.

– Mary

Hi Mary,

I’m sorry to hear that things are so hard for you right now and you feel so alone. It is great that you want to talk about what is going on, and recognise the importance of this. It is not always easy to know who the best person is to talk to however. While some people might have a really obvious ‘one good adult’ in their life, for some of us it might take a bit more figuring out.

Ask Jigsaw: Moving away for college

Posted on by elaine

I’m moving away to go to college in September, I know and have my course already.

It will be my first time living away from home and I have a been offered a space in a house with a cousin and some friends of theirs who are already in college.

The thing is I don’t really know my cousin that well. We’re not going to be in the same college. This has been organised by our parents and I don’t know the other people. I haven’t even seen the house yet but I’m getting really anxious about living with some strangers but also someone I am meant to know but don’t really and haven’t since we were young.

Hi there,

It sounds like you have lots of change ahead of you, which can be exciting, but also overwhelming. At Jigsaw, we know that it would not be unusual for people who are preparing for college to talk about some of the worries that you have mentioned.

Ask Jigsaw: Fearful about Coronavirus

Posted on by elaine

Will the coronavirus (COVID-19) affect schools in the east of Ireland near Dublin. I’m fearful that somebody my school can be infected.


I think I’m infected but I don’t know what to do.

Hi there,

There has been a lot of information in the news and on social media about coronavirus. Some of this is true and helpful. However, some of it is exaggerated or just false. Given the amount of coverage, it is understandable that you might feel worried or fearful about coronavirus and its effect on you or those around you.

Ask Jigsaw: Panicking that I’ve failed my course

Posted on by elaine

I’m in final year of my teaching degree, and really afraid that I’ve failed my last placement. It really knocked my confidence because the inspectors were really harsh after lessons that actually went really well. I had the worst panic attacks I’ve ever experienced after those inspections.

On top of the fear of failing and having the repeat another placement next year and not graduating with my friends in September, I’m not even sure that I want to be a teacher anymore because of how terrible the inspectors made me feel about myself.

One of my assignments involves reflecting on that placement, and it brought back up all those feelings of fear and failure. How do I deal with this fear of the possibility that I’ve failed while waiting for results in June, and if I have failed, how do I get over this anxiety around teaching? 

-Rewind  

Dear Rewind,

Firstly, it’s important to acknowledge all of the hard work and dedication that went into getting to your final year in teaching and doing placements. Regardless of the outcome, your effort and impact on your students is something to recognise.

Ask Jigsaw: How to get through depression

Posted on by elaine

Whats the best way to get through depression?

-Anonymous

Hi Anonymous,

Depression is a word often used, but from person to person it can have a different meaning or label a range of emotions. Generally, depression describes low mood and frequently feeling sad or upset. It can look like lack of motivation or energy, as well as changes in eating and sleeping.

This can feel overwhelming and lonely. However, it’s not unusual for young people to feel down. Research carried out by Jigsaw and UCD showed that 1 in 4 young people experience feelings of low mood. It may be helpful to pause for a moment and think about what might be causing you to feel low. Because there are different reasons, there can be different solutions for each person.

Ask Jigsaw: Preparing for the future

Posted on by elaine

How do I face a future I cannot predict? What can I do to prepare for a future I may never be ready for? What are important skills for independent living? What can I do now, during this pandemic to prepare for the future? How do I make myself believe in things that are common sense, but yet I somehow refuse to accept?

-Beepbeepimasheep

Hi Beepbeepimasheep,

During times of unprecedented change, it’s not surprising to ask ourselves important questions as you have. It can be useful to ask questions about the future, so that we can feel prepared for what’s to come. However, the only certainty about the future is that it is uncertain, regardless of whether Covid-19 happened or not. It’s understandable if this makes us feel anxious, but giving ourselves the permission to accept this can be very calming.