Government Launches Further Mental Health Resources For Those Struggling During Pandemic

The government's launched a new website for people struggling with their mental health during the pandemic.

It has tips on coping with stress and anxiety as well as links to online counselling options.

 A new online resource at gov.ie/together will offer advice to help people cope at home and will promote the mental health supports and resources available on the HSE’s YourMentalHealth.ie.

Research undertaken on the behalf of the Department of Health by Amarach has shown that the outbreak of COVID-19 has led to significant impact on Irish people’s mental health and wellbeing. This research shows that:

●        Isolation is likely to cause distress and mental health problems
●        Overall level of worry is being scored consistently at almost 7/10
●        Four out of five people are worried about their friends and family, and almost as many are worried about the economy
●        ⅓ of people are worried/believe they will get the virus

While Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has launched a new campaign - In This Together - which aims to help everyone in Ireland to Stay Connected, Stay Active, and look after their Mental Wellbeing throughout the Covid-19 Emergency.

The campaign - which starts today - encourages everyone to pick a new activity which could help them to feel a little healthier or a little better as we deal with Covid-19.

In This Together draws together a huge range of activities that you can pursue in your home or your locality, by yourself or with family members or with friends online. There are ideas and activities for people of all ages.

Some highlights include:

·         A Let’s Play Ireland initiative to encourage playtime for children, with online resources for storytelling, playful learning, and Play for Play’s Sake coming online;

·         Every home can take part in a virtual Bloom At Home where well-known gardeners, Show Garden designers and Bord Bia Bloom staff will share their advice and tips throughout May, encouraging people to prepare their own plants and gardens, balconies and window boxes for a national celebration. This will culminate in a final virtual Bloom Day showcasing the nation’s efforts.

·         Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which attracted 750,000 visitors in 2019, will be reimagined as a digital and virtual Fleadh for 2020. TG4 is partnering with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann to deliver this special 2020 event;

·         Live concerts over the internet and social media through #IrelandPerforms;

·         Motivational exercise videos for people of all ages from Irish athletes;

·         Music-making initiatives for young people;

·         Online classes in dance, meditation, and movement;

·         Virtual classes in traditional skills like weaving, printing, basket making, jewellery, ceramics;

·         Educational tutorials for young people including learning an Irish-language song, or making your own podcast;

·         Thousands of e-books and e-audiobooks that you can access at home;

·         Activities for young people from Gaisce, Foroige and Comhairle na nÓg;

·         Walking challenges to encourage people to exercise in their locality.

In This Together also draws together the huge range of advice and support that’s available online for people of all ages, including:

·         Advice on parenting, entertaining children at home and creating a daily routine;

·         Cooking and advice on healthy diets;

·         Advice on mindfulness and looking after your mental wellbeing;

·         How to support your vulnerable neighbours and family members;

·         Online advice (being launched next week) for Leaving Certificate students with up to date information on this year’s exams, and details of practical and psychological supports currently available, as part of a broad package of supports for Leaving Certificate students.