Clinicians from our Dublin City service talk about using technology to support your mental health.
Author: eve
Being there for friends while social distancing
Disruptions caused by the pandemic changed life as we know it. We were challenged to accept the uncertainty of the moment.
Focusing on what is within our control helped with the stress we may have felt.
We can, fortunately, control how we maintain our connections and friendships with others. Covid may have made us more aware of our vulnerabilities. However, we have also been able to find new ways to connect and care for the people in our lives.
From singing across balconies to neighbourhood volunteer groups, people across the globe found ways to connect.
Listen: Feelings of anxiety
Listen to Jen, Jigsaw clinician, talk about feelings of anxiety and what we can do about them.
Ramadan during lockdown
Karima, a Jigsaw volunteer gives her story
Friday, 24 April was the first day of Ramadan for me and many other Muslims around the world.
This Ramadan will be different to the many others I’ve experienced, due to the current lockdown situation.
Throughout the month of Ramadan, most Muslims won’t eat or drink between dawn and sunset. This is known as fasting and it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam; alongside Faith, prayer, charity and doing Hajj (a journey to the city of Mecca). Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. As we use the lunar calendar, its date changes on a yearly basis that is based on the different moon cycles.
Substance use and mental health during COVID-19
Covid-19 has highlighted how our actions impact ourselves and the people around us. It’s helpful to consider how the use of alcohol and drugs can influence and impact our ability to cope with this situation.
Life was tough enough, and Covid-19 can make everything seem harder. Faced with challenging circumstances, alcohol and drugs can seem like a way to cope. We may feel they will help us escape the uncertainty of this pandemic.
Both the Covid-19 situation and substances can impact mental health, so inform yourself as much as possible to make the right decisions for you.
Ask Jigsaw: I can’t seem to feel happy
Hi there i suffered a missed miscarraige in 2016. I had a healthy baby girl june 2017. I struggled with stress and anxiety throughout the whole pregnancy.
I’ve tried to get back to feeling like the person i was before all tbese events but i cant. I cant seem to feel happy anymore and if i do i find myself just wondering when it will go wrong again. Im constantly wound up and feel tense even defencive all the time. I feel like sometimes there is a hand on my chest and throat and i cant breath.
Me and my boyfriend are constantly argueing and most of the time its down to me snapping at him or looking for an arguement. I find im always taking everything thats said to me as a smart comment or a personal attack.
I cant go to my g.p. cause its a man and i dont feel comfortable. Im so fed up of feeling like this and now i think i need some help. Im scared of ruining my relationship and my health. What are my options and do you think i have an issue? Thanks
-Elaine
Hi Elaine,
I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been through so much over the past few years. Losing a baby is a terrible experience and people deal with the grief and loss in different ways. It is not unusual to for women to experience worry during their pregnancy, and given the experience that you had, it is not surprising that you struggled with stress and anxiety.
What are the mental health services for under-18s?
If you’re under 18 and having a difficult time, there are a few options to consider.
First, is there someone you can talk to about what’s going on? A member of your family or friend that you trust can be a good place to start. Or take a look at the articles here to help you figure out what you need. Sometimes this could be enough or can help you make sense of what you need and what you can do.
If you think you might need to get some support or advice from a professional, we’ve made a list of the mental health services available for young people under 18.
Which one is best for you depends on what you’re going through. Sometimes that initial conversation with a trusted adult helps identify what will help. Also, because of the law on consent, you will need to have a parent/guardian involved to get help from a lot of services and professionals.
So, the best first step is usually telling someone what’s going on for you. If you have a good enough relationship with a parent or guardian this can be a good place to start. If not, think about another adult you trust that you could talk to, like an aunt/uncle, older sibling or family friend.
In this article, you will find:
Family conflict
Conflict within families can be a big source of distress for young people who come to Jigsaw.
Often times, family conflict can bring up feelings of anxiety, anger, confusion or fear. Conflict is when there is a struggle or clash between people who have differences of opinion, interests or attitudes.
Watch: Signs of anxiety
Josh, a Jigsaw Youth Advisory Panel member, talks to Jen, Jigsaw clinician, about how to recognise the signs and symptoms of anxiety.
Developing routines for the family
It makes sense to try to retain a level of stability in an uncertain world. But, developing a routine to suit everyone in the household can be a real challenge.