Will lots just say 'stuff it' come the 23rd?

[JuneSummer]

It'll soon be a year since lockdown was first called and me and DH have been watching lots of TV coverage over the last few days. It's just dawned on us this week that we have now not seen our parents for a year, the DC haven't hugged their grandparents, we haven't been for any days out as a family, DC1 hasn't had a single uni class in person. The list goes on.

DH and I are now quickly coming to the conclusion that we just cannot and will not go on living like this any longer as a family. Particularly when there seems to be no end in sight if you listen to people like Chris Whitty and Christina Pagel (who was wanting masks and social distancing for the foreseeable future last night on the news).

Both sets of parents are in their mid 60s and have been vaccinated. We are now strongly minded to visit both at the beginning of April and allow them to see their DGC.

I suspect we will not be alone. Will lots of people simply say 'no more' upon realising they've spent a year of their lives not living?

With regards to mental health.

I have ADHD and in my area it means that I usually have annual reviews by the CMHT in order for my GP to prescribe my medication.

Last March the CMHT sent out a letter to every patient stating that there would be no F2F appointments until further notice but in the event of a crisis to call the Crisis Line 09:00 - 18:00 Monday to Friday.

I kid you not.

Anyway it doesn't matter to me because personally my annual reviews are a ten minute waste of time.

However, people with serious MH issues such as bipolar disorder and psychosis have also had no F2F appointments since last March and I find that disgusting.

Ilovesooty "I was appalled to read this morning that one in four of the workforce have had no check ins re their mental health during the past year. No wonder people are struggling."

Do you mean a manager asking or something like that? What are you thinking could be done to help?

@AcornAutumn

Ilovesooty "I was appalled to read this morning that one in four of the workforce have had no check ins re their mental health during the past year. No wonder people are struggling."

Do you mean a manager asking or something like that? What are you thinking could be done to help?

According to the article I read one in four claimed that no manager had enquired about their mental health and how they were coping since the pandemic began. I would say that at the very least some interest should be shown.

Ilovesooty

I'd consider that an invasion of privacy.

I suppose a general call out to staff would be different but I certainly wouldn't want to be asked "how are you coping with lockdown". The real answer to that might lose me my job!

@ilovesooty my company does do mental health check ins, and workshops on wellbeing. I’m sure there are people this helps but for those of us with mental health issues they are pretty useless.

I think what this thread shows is that everyone has different needs, and obviously it’s a highly emotive subject. It’s not selfish to family if you need to for mental health (and other reasons). It’s also not selfish to want others to stick to the rules if your needs rely on that.

My company does mental health check ins. I told my line manager I was struggling a bit, and all that achieved was making me feel guilty to have worried him! In retrospect I wish I'd not said anything. The poor guy isn't a medical professional.

There's no point to a mental health check in

I suspect they use them the way a director used paternity leave at a previous company, she said "it's a great way to separate the men from the boys".

I have been on mental health meds for years. No way am I ever letting an employer find out.

And let's imagine a workplace actually cared - in this situation, how could they help you?