In this video, Leona talks about ways we can navigate the family conflict that can arise.
Category: Covid-19
Webinar: Supporting during lockdown
This is a recording of a webinar for parents about how to support young people while in lockdown for the prevention of Covid-19.
Jen and Vanessa presented a piece about compassion-focused support and took questions live from parents and responded.
Webinars to support youth mental health
Check out the webinar recording for parents on supporting young people with anxiety .
Ask Jigsaw: Fearful about Coronavirus
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.
Supporting young people’s mental health during the pandemic
Through Jigsaw’s work with young people, we are continuously reminded of the challenges parents face, and their desire to help.
It is no easy feat being a parent. The biggest issues right now are dealing with the threat of lockdown, ongoing restrictions, and the uncertainty they all bring.
The pandemic has brought uncertainty and a rapid change to our lifestyle. It has increased the potential for anxiety and frustration, not only for young people, but also for parents.
Brain drain exercise
Eimear, Jigsaw clinician, walks us through a ‘brain drain’ exercise that can help us when we start to overthink.
Ask Jigsaw: Preparing for the future
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.
Listen: ACE tool for grounding
Leona, Jigsaw clinician, walks through a grounding tool called “ACE” to assist in stressful situations.
We developed an animation to illustrate.
‘A’ refers to accept how you are feeling
‘C’ refers to come back into your body
‘E’ refers to engage fully with what you are doing.
Ask Jigsaw: How can this be normal?
how can i know now, being unable to seek advice from my GP or any professionals due to the coronavirus outbreak, whats wrong with me?
last week it was like my mind was running at ten thousand miles per hour with no way of controling it. my thoughts would be going so fast at any given time that if i didnt write them down as soon as i have them id have forgetten them.
but now its like nothing. its like theres only ever one thing on my mind on repeat over and over again. its the feeling of emptiness and nothingness, the feeling that makes me think: this isnt living, i might as well be dead.
of course i thought the fact of self isolation and social distancing is probably the cause of this feeling but this is not the first time ive felt this way its just up until now ive been able to distract myself by the people i care about and their problems.
but now as a 15 old alone in my own head with my own thoughts ive been forced to confront these feelings and emotions and have come to the conclusion that this cannot be normal otherwise how have so many people NOT committed suicide you know?
-idek anymore *Please note this question has been edited in length from the original submission
Hello idek anymore,
It sounds like you have been on a bit of a roller coaster recently, from thoughts racing to feeling numb. The fact that we don’t have access to all of the same supports and distractions as usual can certainly amplify the feelings and concerns that were already there.
SNACK self-care tool
Using technology to support your mental health
We hear a lot about the downside of technology, and how we should try to spend less time on it. But the pros of technology have also become obvious.
Our need for connection and fun is still clear. Though at present, our usual routines have been disrupted and everything is a little bit out of sorts.
But we have to adapt to the way the world is now and reach out in ways that we can. We need to restructure how we do the things that help our mental health, and technology can help.
Jigsaw clinicians Vicky, Sarah, Valerija and Aoife discuss how they use technology to support their mental health during this time.