We recognise that many of us here in the community are feeling scared, worried and overwhelmed about the Coronavirus (COVID19) outbreak.

Just as we have come together here during other difficult times, we encourage those wanting to share or seek helpful support to do so here in this space.

What are you doing to look after your wellbeing during this time? Sharing is one of the most helpful ways we can support one other – our community is also here to support you if you’d simply like to share how you’re feeling.

It is important we maintain perspective and support each other as best as we can, everyone here at Beyond Blue would like to remind our community that medical, scientific and public health experts around the world are working hard to contain the virus, treat those affected and develop a vaccine as quickly as possible.

The Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Service is available 24/7 at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au. There is a dedicated phone line, staffed by mental health professionals briefed on the pandemic response, that is also is now open on 1800 512 348.

Beyond Blue’s existing support service will continue to operate alongside the new service. The Beyond Blue Support Service is available via phone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat (3PM – 12AM AEST or email responses within 24 hours).

There are some other helpful discussions taking place here within our forum community that you may find helpful to read or participate in: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/hi-there-i-only-just-joined-and-i'm-worried-about-the-coronavirus-

As a community, let’s help one another through sharing and connecting and showing our support.

I'm doing my best to stay active and get fresh air, going for a run a few times a week. I have also found that the UK comedy show Taskmaster is the perfect light and funny entertainment for taking my mind off things. Other than that, getting plenty of sleep, eating well, stocking up on essentials (within reason), and talking with friends and family are great.

For now, where I live the streets and public life look more or less normal (with a few more people wearing face masks than usual), so whenever the news gets overwhelming I go out for a bit and remind myself that things aren't so scary as they seem. I also try to remember all the other scary moments in history (the Spanish Flu, Cuban Missile Crisis, etc.) when things were even less certain than they are now with even less knowledge and technology. Our 24/7 access to information makes things seem much more dire.

Finally, I like to think of things in communal terms. Public health is by definition communal, so every time you wash your hands or stay home it is an act of love not just for yourself but for society at large. I find that quite comforting and heartening.

Somethings I am doing are:

... Avoiding media and the like as it was promoting fear in me.

... Making use of those santizing wipes in the supermarket, wiping down that part of the trolley where you hang on to

.... Building up my immunity in my body to help it do its job by fighting off possible harmful viruses. Things like eating loads off fresh vegetables and fruits. Juicing green juices and carrot type juices. Add ginger and tumeric.

.... Increasing vitamin C with a supplement.

.... Increasing vitamin D with a supplement ( I am considering getting a blood test done to see what my levels are)

.... Getting more sunshine

.... Attempting to improve my sleeping habits. Like get enough quality sleep.

.... Washing my hands really well. And avoid touching my face.

.... Limit my exposure to crowds of people. Which I naturally do anyway.

.... Drinking more water.

.... Keep a safe distance away from people who are coughing

.... Walking in the fresh air

.... If I had the funds I would properly make use of a infra red sauna. As many viruses cannot live in high temperatures.

Hi Community,

Just sharing a few techniques that have worked for me:

1. Write a self care plan that works when you're in forced self-isolation at home. Also write a quarantine version (eg if I had to go to hospital, how would I keep myself sane and grounded).

2. Write a list of things I can control versus those I can't. I can control my diet, exercise, etc. I can't control government decisions, travel bans, the economy, my employers' decisions, family members' beliefs, colleagues' unhelpful comments, etc.

3. Write a list of possible positives arising from the COVID-19 outbreak. You will surprise yourself. Every dark cloud has a silver lining.

To be honest,

I'm not afraid of the coronavirus, if I get it, I get it. It appears to be nothing more then a bad cold.

I do worry for my parents, particularly my dad because he has heart issues.

My main problem is the hysteria because caused by the government/media. Which has caused people to panic buy which is causing vulnerable people to miss out on basic supplies.

Now the banning of mass gatherings?

I'm going to sound selfish here (and im sorry if does - I know all the banning's and stuff is in the interest of public health) but I hit long service leave in 36 days and I cant go overseas! (well I probably could if I really wanted to) I was really looking forward to going on a overseas holiday! tonight, I was looking forward a hawkers market - but that got cancelled because of this mass gathering ban.

I don't know - I guess im feeling a little trapped at the moment?

Thanks for this thread.

think the trouble with understanding all the decisions the govt makes is they are following advice from medical people who are trying to see the big picture and stop the spread.

School have been closed down already.

I have picked a person who I trust as he has years of science experience. I find if I only listen to one reliable person it makes it less confusing.

I am still coping with affects of the fires, and now with corona I am trying not to be alarmed.

I have been self isolated all year.

Take care everyone

Quirky

Hello all, Thank you for this much needed forum, I live alone so I find my mind has been overloaded with THE NEWS ! ///Coronavirus (COVID19)

.... I came across a new book ' Don't Read The News ' ... " the NEWS is to the mind what sugar is to the body " Rolf Dobelli ".. author. rang home to me. I'm reducing ( alot) the news ..online/print/and TV and I feel much better. I can still be informed I feel. I feel this is an opportunity to be more of the 'real' me. ... staying home etc. I need to remember being alone is different to being lonely. May we all be well, happy and free. iann

I am a public school primary teacher. I’ve been concerned that teachers are being used to keep the economy grinding along with the excuse that kids are safer in classrooms than in the community. Kids are in the community anyway. I’m worried for my own health as I have a rare health disorder which behaves unpredictably when i‘m sick. Many health professionals are saying schools should be closed now. I’m not understanding why they’re being kept open. This whole thing worries me quite a bit. Surely aggressive social distancing is wise? I feel frustrated by being treated as dispensable when other workers are being told to work from home.

My question is how far do we go shutting down things?Do we close schools or what about shopping centres?I went to a shopping centre yesterday and people were coughing.Should we have to wear mask in shopping centres?

Hello Everyone...🤗..

I didn’t..Well I hoped that the virus wouldn’t come out my way..unfortunately it has...and with small hospitals out here..no beds...they have been told to home quarantine themselves..but will they?...

Im more concerned about my children and their families living in the Sydney suburbs....I’m scared for them..

One of my sons msged me and told me decided to take his family to the markets today for a day out..These are big markets with hundreds of people walking around..I wish they had shut that down as well...Now I’ll be worrying for the next few weeks if they okay...

Its really scary for my family and what’s happening....I hope it all goes away soon...

Grandy..

Grandy, matchy, beav,Iann and everyone reading

I think the experts are trying to workout the best way to handle the virus.

I wonder if it is the unpredictability of the virus that is creating so much anxiety.

Human minds are good at predicting the worst.

I know research shows that people tend to overestimate how terribly they’ll be affected by negative events and underestimate how well they’ll handle and adjust to difficult situations.
Be aware that you areprobably more resilient than you think.

Hi Gambit87,

Your disappointment and frustration are valid. You have been planning your LSL for a long time and you have worked hard for it consistently over many years. Yes, the situation IS horribly unfair and frustrating. All your feelings are normal. I hear you.

Hi beav,

I think your feelings are valid in the circumstances. In your situation, I would probably feel exactly the same.

Thanks for sharing your feelings with the group. It's totally OK to go through the full range of emotions during times like these. Remember to reach out to friends and colleagues who get it. You don't have to face these feelings alone.

Their is a lot of panic going on which triggers more panic.At the moment their has been 250 confirmed cases in Australia with a population of 25million.

Beav, welcome to the forum. You pose an interesting question.

Gambit I don't think you are selfish .You have worked a long time to enjoy your LSL. Well done.

Matchy, It is not the number of people who have been diagnosed is the unpredictable mature of what happens next. Italy was where were a while ago and look at their statistics now.

Patience Bay thanks for your helpful comments and welcome to the forum.

Tthink the govt is preparing for the worst while hoping for the best.

Thanks everyone for you comments here.

Hi to all reading,

Might as well provide a different perspective as a student still in secondary. After an evening reading through an excess of news articles (which I definitely shouldn't have), parents have decided to keep myself and my younger sister for the next 2 days - 16th and 17th.

Did anyone catch that Facebook post from a doctor earlier this evening? People have mixed arguments; some dismissing it as stupid while others are praising it. I'll avoid further controversy by not discussing any further, but I could expect some criticism on staying home even when my school hasn't been closed.

Even now I cannot decide whether this is a good idea or not. I sound like I'm falling for a fearmongering post that doesn't even make sense. I guess we'll have to hold our breath for relief.

JZ

This is a great forum discussion topic, especially in light of all the media hype. It's been hard not to get completely overwhelmed and caught up in it all. The amount of fear mongering and propaganda is really quite scary. I worry about my elderly parents becoming ill and also some of the people I work with, who are more susceptible. I'm trying to educate myself more and research information from reliable sources rather than just believe the first thing that pops up on the news feed. The whole thing has got me really down so I've switched off my media feed for a while for my mental health, but I'm having withdrawals already LOL. I think I would cope ok in quarantine as long as I had contact with my family and the outside world. Take care everyone.

Hello Everyone, this epidemic or outbreak has affected all of us in so many ways and it's a disease which we haven't had to deal with, now it's worldwide.

N

Hello to Everyone, I'm not sure whether my last reply will appear as I touched a key and off it went, but to follow on there are many questions that still need to be answered:

-what will banks do if you are unable to make a repayment (excluding automatic), say credit cards, by going into the bank

-what about a wedding that's been planned for a long time

-and if somebody close to you passes away, what happens to the funeral

-will the PM'S decision not to shake hands be a question our great/grandkids will be asking why not in the future

-more importantly what if our psych doesn't want to see you, then perhaps phone or internet needs to be made available

Look after yourself.

Geoff.

Hi Community,

I've now removed all alcohol from my fridge, to reduce that temptation to enjoy a 'relaxing' drink during these challenging times.

I can think of many good reasons not to drink alcohol over the coming weeks. Here are a few:

- I need to maintain very close awareness of my personal hygiene

- We're in a rapidly evolving situation, and I process new information much better with no alcohol in my system

- I owe it to my family and friends to bring the best version of myself to every interaction now. We need each other.

- Some strangers I interact with are going to be stressed, scared, confused or angry. I can much better navigate potentially difficult interactions when I am completely sober.

- I want to follow directions from authority figures promptly and accurately. For my own health and wellbeing, but also for the good of the whole community.

- Without alcohol, I'll be more aware of any changes in my own symptoms and health. I would hate to put myself in a situation where, for example, I was uncertain whether my headache was hangover or viral.

For similar reasons, I'm limiting my caffeine intake. It makes me a little more tense and reactive than usual, and that's not wanted right now.

With wise choices, I know I can make the best of each situation. My sleep hygiene is the next thing on the list...

Hello PatienceBay, I've just got home after being to the supermarket, most of all the important products have been bought, the shelves are bare, no milk, little meat to purchase and the list could go on, so supply and demand are out of balance.

I'm pleased that you've stopped drinking because the same situation might happen with alcohol, and when it does, people do change for the worst.

The points you have mentioned are excellent and will also affect many other people in a similar way as their attitude will be different towards situations they have to face.

To drink to relax is different than drinking because you're addicted to it and now you will notice the change in yourself so well done.

Can I ask if you have given up before as I too haven't had a drink for 4 months.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

Hi All,

It would be helpful when the experts can agree on 'how long the corona virus can remain on objects and surfaces'. I have heard some UK sources say 5 hours and then some US sources say 7-9 days! Vastly different opinions.

Hope all forum members are well and having some luck finding loo paper :)