Mentally OK

16/03/2022

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/mental-health-problems-upsurge-during-pandemic-41440940.html

More people sought help from counsellors for anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and relationship problems in the second year of the pandemic compared with the first, a survey of mental health professionals has found.

27/01/2022

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/playdates-handshakes-and-hugs-how-to-navigate-the-new-new-normal-41282219.html

Are we there yet ?

Last week’s easing of Covid-related restrictions birthed its own succinct Twitter hashtag: . The relief and happiness of government officials tasked with delivering the news certainly led most of us to believe the darkest days are behind us.

06/12/2021

https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/1c78681e-en/index.html?itemId=/content/publication/1c78681e-en

A longish but very interesting article on how Schooling/Education has been effected by the Covid 19 Pandemic up to June 2020.

06/12/2021

https://borgenproject.org/mental-health-in-ireland/

The statistics of mental health in Ireland are one of the highest in Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the state of mental health in Ireland.

05/12/2021

https://www.independent.ie/world-news/coronavirus/esri-research-shows-fear-is-most-powerful-predictor-of-behaviour-in-pandemic-41119389.html

How our feelings and fear can influence our behaviour during this much longer than anticipated pandemic. It once again underlines how we need to concentrate on the day ahead of us and to attempt to steer and manage what we can control and not get dragged into fretting about elements that are not under our control.

The longer the pandemic goes on the more likely society will bear long-term “scarring” from its impact. That’s according to Professor Pete Lunn of the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

03/12/2021

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2021/11/30/omicron-covid-variant-causes-anxiety-6-tips-help-you-cope/8808029002/

It may feel like we are back to where we were but remember we have more knowledge and experience and thank God vaccines. This situation calls on your resilience to focus on today and the things that you can control. This means managing your thoughts and not letting them run into catastrophic thinking. Think today , think what to do now , maybe do some breathing for those worrying feelings , have a walk , call a trusted friend who can offer balance or even turn on that series you like and take time out. We have a way to go yet , but you know you have made it this far !!"

In recent days, the\u00a0media has been flooded with the news of omicron –\u00a0 a new coronavirus variant. If you have anxiety, you're not alone. How to cope.

30/11/2021

https://youtu.be/j-1n3KJR1I8

For those with asthma shorten the hold to a count of 3 and try to exhale as long as you can.

4-7-8 Breathing is a simple and calming Breathing Exercise to help calm a busy mind, 478 acts as a simple mindfulness meditation to help us get out of our ow...

30/11/2021

https://www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-indo-daily/the-indo-daily-omicron-and-covid-anxiety-everything-you-need-to-know-41100685.html

It is disheartening and an ongoing challenge to deal with all the unknowns around Covid .This is a strong trigger for those with Anxiety and any type of Compulsive Thinking problems. The bottom line is to focus on what you can think and do today , in the next hour or even the next 15 minutes . Slow or 478 Breathing is really good when the worry piles up in unhelpful thoughts. Sometimes it's hard to think your way out of worries and anxiety so turn to the knowledge of your body to breathe your way through these tough times.

The new Omicron variant has sent us into a frenzy, but do we need to panic?

15/11/2021

https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/there-has-been-no-period-like-it-in-our-history-the-mental-health-toll-of-the-pandemic-1212243.html

The president-elect of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) says there has been up to a 25 per cent increase in referrals to mental health services.

10/11/2021

https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/wellness-mental-health-lockdown-covid-5545953-Sep2021/

Really interesting article on how COVID has effected our mental wellbeing but also how the 18month Lockdown and lack of social connection has impacted self confidence and basic social skills. Mental Health is not about the presence or absence of a mental health diagnosis but rather how we emotionally navigate and behave in our daily lives. COVID turned our normal upside down so it makes sense that this world event has made huge demands on our mental wellbeing.

Dr Stephen McWilliams says mental health difficulties should be taken into consideration as we emerge from the past 18 months of trauma.

20/10/2021

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40725438.html

Between the closure of schools in March 2020 and late June of last year, the Childline website experienced an increase in users of more than 100%.

13/10/2021

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/12/health/covid-lab-leak-who-china.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage§ion=Science

It will be interesting to see what we learn from this. Also its good that it is scientific Volunteers doing the review for the WHO and hopefully will w**d out any vested interests.

“This new group can do all the fancy footwork it wants, but China’s not going to cooperate,” one expert said.

10/10/2021

https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2021

Find out about this year's World Mental Health Day campaign (10 October) and how you can get involved.

10/10/2021

https://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/your-mental-health/world-mental-health-day-2021/

The goal of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health

09/10/2021

https://watch.medcircle.com/videos/re-entry-anxiety

A eally good discussion by three psychologists about re-entry anxiety post Lockdown for ourselves and our children.

It’s difficult to imagine life as it used to be, before global quarantine. Re-entry anxiety is more widespread than it’s ever been. How do you and those you care for re-enter the world as we knew it and ease back into a semblance of normalcy? In this enlightening Live Expert Panel, you’ll lear...

08/10/2021

https://khn.org/news/article/casual-relationships-vital-older-adults-sense-of-belonging-post-pandemic/

How the retired generation in the US, who suffered most in Lockdown, are now looking for a new sense of Belonging.As things are opening up we should make it part of our daily lives to connect with our elderly and retired as part of our community and not just during a crisis.

Relationships with people you know only superficially can help develop a sense of belonging and provide motivation to engage in activities. Research has found that older adults who have a broad arr…

07/10/2021

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/sep/30/it-took-about-a-year-to-get-help-generation-z-on-mental-health-decline

Technology and Covid lockdowns blamed for rise in eating disorders and insomnia among young

06/10/2021

https://www.aware.ie/mentalhealthweek/

Aware is a fantastic service which should all access and support.
Its work is essential to educating and supporting people with Mental Health issues and diagnosed Mental Health conditions like myself as I live with Bipolar Disorder. I have attended training provided by them and also accessed the service in times when I was really low. Coming out of a Pandemic and Lockdown all of us have experienced a strain on our Mental Health. Take a look at the site and the many events offered and tell your friends and workmates. We all need a mental boost after a tough time when Mental Health was heavily impacted.

Aware Mental Health Week is a campaign about understanding depression, giving people hope & empowering people to reach out for support.