CoVID-19 has made its presence known globally. With lockdown measures being implemented in various countries, Singapore is no exception. PM Lee announced “Circuit Breaker” measures on 03 April 2020 to prevent further severity of outbreak CoVID-19 in Singapore. This includes many restrictions on work and services, and definitely has a huge impact on every industry, as well as everyone in Singapore. Only essential businesses and organisations are expected to be open, with the rest either closed or working from home.
Something
that is not considered or discussed as much is the mental health of people affected
by this announcement and the many changes that is happening now. Even though
the spread of coronavirus is of utmost concern, it is also important to consider
the emotional and mental well-being of Singaporeans in this pandemic situation.
'Don't be like me!' said the boy.
If
you are stuck at home (working from home or just purely stuck), here are some
tips to manage your mental health in these months of April and May:
- Stay
connected. Make sure you connect with friends and family via messaging or video
platforms. Social media can be good for us to be reminded that we are not alone
in this situation.
- Do exercises at home. Physical exercise is known to help the brain and body build immunity. Relaxation exercises are good as well, as it helps to calm in this situation.
- Sleep well. With school and work out of the way, there is no excuse for a lack of sleep. Make sure to have 8-10 hours of sleep, and it helps to build your immune system.
- Be mindful of information you are receiving and sending. There are too many #fakenews and announcements from unknown or unreliable sources. Make sure to verify those information and rely on credible sources of information.
- Have a routine, i.e. Meal times, sleeping and rest times, work times. Keeping a routine helps to maintain a sense of normalcy.
- Take
time to try something different or go back to doing a hobby/activity you have
yet to do for a long time. This is the best time to try different things or rekindle
our joy in our hobbies, provided we can do them at home. You never know what
unexpected pleasant surprises or experiences you might get!
- Go easy on yourself. Understand that this may be a stressful situation, and feeling stressed is normal for everyone, which may result in unpleasant behaviours. Focus on what you are able to control and understand that some things are out of your control.
- Look for help if you need any. All psychotherapy, counselling, or social services organisations would definitely have some helpline or free online consulting services. Make use of them if you feel that there are changes in your emotions, thoughts and behaviour in the past weeks.
CARE Singapore
Complimentary
psychological first aid:
6978
2728 (Whatsapp, Weekdays, 10am-5pm)
Community Health Assessment Team
(CHAT)
6493
6500 (Tuesdays to Saturdays, 12pm-9pm)
Singapore Association for Mental
Health (SAMH)
1800
283 7019
Singapore Psychological Society
Compiled
list of counselling services and workshops:
Silver Ribbon (Singapore)
Complimentary
counselling service:
Our
mental health is so important in allowing us to maintain our resilience in
these uncertain times. So please remember take care of your mental health as it
is the 2nd most important thing, other than your physical health, in
this pandemic situation!
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