So it doesn’t look like the lockdown is going to be extended does it?

[HighlandSpring101]

Just caught the daily news briefing. Despite a lot of people on here last week thinking there’s no way they’ll be easing the lockdown before the end of May (and I admit, I too thought this!) it looks like BoJo may announce relaxations of the lockdown Sunday, possibly taking effect as of Monday?

I am a bit confused though as though the majority of the criteria for relaxation looks like it’s being met, there are still 4000 new infections each day, which is the pretty much the same amount as at the start of this pandemic so surely that’s still too high?

Just to add to my last post. I would suggest people refrain from personal insults. Particularly on a thread discussing MH.

I will if I need to Smile.
I'm not thinking about myself so much as other posters. Some people are more affected or distressed by personal insults than the rest of us are.

Speaking of offensive Flies it's offensive to accuse me of faux concern

And offensive of you to sarcastically twist my post yesterday, in response to a completely different poster, in which they used the word 'nonsense' to describe people's claims of MH issues.

It's brought about more attention and discussion on the issues including the need for better investment in MH provision.

This discussion, which you seem to be unaware of has been going on for years in relation to the crisis in MH provision, which you offensively brush aside.

And you talk of twisting posts? People in glass houses...

Unaware of. Yep. That's why I've spoken in many posts about MH provision having been underfunded for a long time pre pandemic.

For goodness sake. It seems we're on the same side here. Which is good, I think. We don't need to argue. I'll extend an olive branch if you want to take it.

No, I don't want to take it, we are certainly not 'on the same side' and I find your relentless posts depressing and inhumane. I will ignore you from now on and scroll past.

Oh well nevermind. Suit yourself. You seem to post quite relentlessly yourself (I've noticed your username across threads).

You're free to quickly scroll past ignoring my 'relentless' posts.

My posts are inhumane? Wanting to prevent needless deaths, protect the economy, and hoping for a better funded and run NHS including MH provision is inhumane? Finding some posters' Othering unpleasant - the attitudes towards the elderly, disabled, people with long-term conditions, the BAME community, overweight people. Thinking that's wrong is inhumane?

I'm sorry you're so bitter and angry. Or at least I'm sorry you sound so bitter and angry. That's how it comes across to me. I could be wrong of course. Perhaps you're happy as Larry in RL.

I should take my own advice now. I'll aim to scroll past your posts.

Oh just take the olive branch ffs

Oh just take the olive branch ffs

Dear oh dear

Sounds like she’s trying to put an end to the argument?

Online forum. People you don’t know in real life. Anyone’s monkey I’d say.

Your input isn't needed or wanted Daffodil101 and the 'argument' is finished. Mind your own business

🙄

Have some of my olives Daffodil I've got some going spare. They fell off my branch.

However did the thread get to this? Shame. I'm getting off it. Nasty atmosphere.

ToffeeYoghurt It's concerning if many are so mentally fragile they're unable to cope with little more than a month under a half hearted lockdown.

I don't think it is concerning in the way you mean. Humans are social creatures. Even those on here who are liking lockdown a bit are with DHs and/or DCs. It's actually a really unnatural situation to be apart from other people like this. It's not about "mentally fragile" people randomly falling apart; the issue is the context which is highly stressful. In the same way you'd expect to see an increse in MH issues after a recession.

So, even people who are basically mentally fine are finding lockdown a bit difficult now. That's normal. Of course there is also a group of people who bumble along most of the time but suddenly have all their important coping mechanisms removed, including the social isolation aspect. There's people who may benefit from counselling or other support in general but don't meet the threshold for services, or alternatively people who have serious issues stemming from trauma and life difficulties who are deemed "too complex" for brief interventions offered but could go downhill very quickly. Both these groups would normally rely heavily on "wellbeing" type things, managing with the (very great) support that is social interaction. And that is gone. But at the end of the day, mental health services can only go so far - even the best therapy will set people up to go and have a life worth living. It's extremely difficult to do that in the current circumstances.

I agree with a lot of what you say Turtle
Certainly it's disgraceful that people very much in need of help are denied that help because of being 'too complex'. Appalling.

But the poster I was responding to was referring to acute MH crises to the extent of needing sectioning. That goes beyond a normal reaction to the relaxed UK lockdown. That's someone already in fragile MH who obviously needed help even before the pandemic. Help they should of course be given.

Let's not forget many people were isolated and lonely before the pandemic. We need more community volunteers and better MH support going forwards.

Do you think the housebound are living worthless lives? I don't feel comfortable reading things suggesting theirs is 'a life not worth living'.

We don't see every single permanently housebound person sectioned. They really are confined to the home. Which we're not. Unless shielded. And they should be offered virtual support if they're finding that hard.

For the housebound, it's not temporary. We can go out. We are allowed to go out to shops, pick up takeaways, get out for exercise, stop off at the diy store.

We also have the benefit of modern technology. We can keep in touch via video conferencing, we can access home workouts, free online courses, social media, streaming TV and films, and so on. Rich resources available online. Something isolated and lonely people didn't have in the past.

Of course people will struggle but it really is a concern if people (without a MH condition) are unable to cope with a temporary very relaxed lockdown. Like I say some people are permanently housebound. Others live in different countries to their families and friends. Not always bybrheur own choice. Their lives are still valuable and worth living.

Really it's very much highlighted just how shut out the physically disabled are. The reliance on face to face for MH support being just one of their difficulties.

Not everyone in need of MH support is able bodied or easily able to go out.

Our semi lockdown will hopefully lead to better provision for ALL those in need of MH case. Including widened virtual access. This would benefit some able bodied MH patients too. Some need in-person help but others struggle in face to face situations and feel more comfortable accessing support from home.

But the poster I was responding to was referring to acute MH crises to the extent of needing sectioning. That goes beyond a normal reaction to the relaxed UK lockdown. That's someone already in fragile MH who obviously needed help even before the pandemic. Help they should of course be given.

But that's the point. These people may have reached out for help earlier. Peolle are afraid of going to hospital.

Just like A&E are seeing less heart attacks. They are still happening. But people are often opting not to go.

And its not just the isolation. My mil (technically step mil) isn't isolated. Sil never moved out. In mils house is her sil, bil and 2 kids. She isn't alone.

But that's part of the issue. She is never alone. People are struggling with that.

I am working from home, dp was made redundant I have 2 kids and its stressful.i consider us lucky. Dp looks after my kids, I work and earn enough that we are ok. And my job is relatively safe. Still stressful.

Mum is sheilding, dad works in the nhs. Worrying about them is stressful. Even supermarket shopping is more stressful than ever.

Add in money worries, job worries, health worries, housing worries you have a lot of people in a lot of difficult situations.

Its not really surprising people are finding it hard. Or that mental health issues are increasing.

I agree with you Peggy Of course it's very stressful for us all.
But do you think you're in need of acute MH care and possibly sectioning? Or suffering from very normal stress that anyone would suffer from during a pandemic?

The normal struggles to deal with the extraordinary circumstances of a pandemic shouldn't be so bad that someone needs sectioning. If it is for lots of people, that's a big concern. It indicates a large number of people have serious untreated MH issues. Which need to be treated.

For the most part, the problems caused by the pandemic. What can we do?
We can't magic the virus away. We can't lie to people that it's perfectly safe to go out and about as normal with no restrictions whatsoever. We can't stop the pandemic affecting the economy.

The fear of going to hospital is a valid one. Some people have caught Covid in hospital.
The fear is understandable but I strongly advise anyone with an urgent crisis - physical or mental to still go. They're all doing their absolute best to keep it as separate and as safe as possible.
It's also far safer to go now whilst we're still in lockdown.

There's a lot we can't do about the situation. One thing that we can do is call for improved MH provision across the board. Including virtual access - to continue post pandemic for the physically disabled, the housebound, and anyone else who might find it esier that way.

But do you think you're in need of acute MH care and possibly sectioning? Or suffering from very normal stress that anyone would suffer from during a pandemic?

I don't think you are reading what I out above. I suffer from GAD. I am immensley lucky that the medication they tried second worked for me. The dose and how it is, worked.

Depsite do being made redendant, I can also still afford my prescriptions.

But its not difficult for me to have empathy for people who arent in my privileged position.

Or understand that some people may have been boarding before. Could muddle through, didn't think outside help was needed and this has been enough to make that worse

Or people already ill, who can't afford prescriptions, havet found the right support yet, living in less than ideal circumstances finding all the stress and pressure far too much.

Or even people who are mentally well, finding their lives turned upside down and becoming extremely ill.

Not one of these people are weak or fragile. Do you consider people who have cancer, fragile?

The normal struggles to deal with the extraordinary circumstances of a pandemic shouldn't be so bad that someone needs sectioning. If it is for lots of people, that's a big concern. It indicates a large number of people have serious untreated MH issues. Which need to be treated.

You seem to think I am talking for the whole NHS. I am not. I am talking about my dads and aunties experiences.

Of course this is difficult for lots of people. And some of them will need outside help and support. Given the circumstances, its really not surprising that the numbers for requests of support will go up.

Money, job security, loss of future security is a massive contributor to people's stress levels and decline if mental health.

The fear is understandable but I strongly advise anyone with an urgent crisis - physical or mental to still go. They're all doing their absolute best to keep it as separate and as safe as possible.
It's also far safer to go now whilst we're still in lockdown

Of course they should. But its not surprising they arent.

The point started because people claiming mental health workers are dead. Of course they arent. Many are fine. Dads work have had staff cases. But their symptoms both started when they returned to work after annual leave. Other staff have been tested and thankfully clear.

Dads mental health units are totally separate from the main hospital. On a an adjacent site. Covid wise, its very safe.

In all honesty, i find your posts lacking in empathy. Its odd, that you believe people are struggling because they are lacking.

You should realise mental health issues, cab strike at any time. To anyone.

In all honesty, i find your posts lacking in empathy. Its odd, that you believe people are struggling because they are lacking. You should realise mental health issues, cab strike at any time. To anyone

Perfectly put Peggysgettingcrazy,

Even after media campaigns trying to highlight how widespread MH issues are -ie using celebrities - and that there should be no shame attached, the pervasive idea that MH problems are due to character weakness is still very much there.

Even more so now with all the fake wartime talk about 'heroes and being 'all in it together' and 'doing our bit'.