People in lockdown alone

I am struggling, as I am sure many are being in lockdown alone. I have no physical contact with anyone and only speak every 3-4 days via phone or zoom. I found my voice is going from lack of use. I have mental health issues and not being at work or being able to see any family members has triggered a relapse in things I was coping relatively well with prior to this. Mental health services are already stretched and will be further post pandemic, so I dread needing more help. My suggestion is to allow people who are alone to meet up with family/friends (in a household), outside, maintaining social distancing, once a week and within walking distance to start with. From there, if the numbers infected don't increase, then people who don't live alone, then meeting inside etc I think though if I am honest, if you let one group do something, a lot of people not alone will probably go ahead and do it anyway. It is a shame it is often the case that the few will spoil it for the many, just like people who flaunt lockdown now, them complain when we have to stay in lockdown because of the numbers infected. I think it will be a problem if select groups/areas can do things other can't.

Why the contribution is important

I see a psychiatrist every 6 months. I was meant to be seen in August and I am still waiting. Many more people are now struggling with their mental health since lockdown, especially those cut off from society and living alone. Now the number of NHS front line workers who have PTSD amongst other things will need to be seen. It can't be simply a case that they can get seen immediately when people have already been on waiting lists for over a year, but then how does the NHS continue to function when so many staff are off on sick leave? The longer people are alone, the more and more people are going to need help. I am extremely anxious to go out my front door. I was getting two buses to work, five days a week prior to this. It is not just mental health, the death rate from cancer is set to rocket. Everybody has forgot about all the outpatient appointments and non urgent surgical procedures that will have to be carried out on top of already mile high waiting lists. Not to mention people have been avoiding going to hospitals for fear of catching Covid_19 or worrying the staff are already too busy, when the staff are there, its the patients who are missing. People will die waiting.. from suicide, cancer and other diseases. Not all people will suffer mental distress in lockdown alone, but the longer it goes on, the more likely this is.

by Suz1Ed1nburgh on May 05, 2020 at 07:01PM

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Average rating: 4.8
Based on: 30 votes

Comments

  • Posted by JoeOH May 05, 2020 at 19:25

    Whether this action can be made to work or not, something needs to be done for those suffering with mental health issues exacerbated by Covid.

  • Posted by lindyloo May 05, 2020 at 20:41

    I understand completely where you are coming from. My mum lives on her own 200 miles away. She's been furloughed. Except for a friend that knocks on her door once a week, an unplanned meeting someone when she's out for her walk or at the supermarket she can go the whole day without speaking to someone. I phone her every evening and although she doesn't say it I can tell she's utterly miserable. It seems the only illness the government is concerned about is coronavirus. It's ok for these politicians talking about keeping lockdown when they are still "working" if you can call it that in the first place, a nice home and no money worries. More people are going to be affected by the lockdown than coronavirus itself. All I can say is stay strong, you have come this far and just hopefully not too much longer

  • Posted by Boomt24 May 05, 2020 at 20:41

    Kind of similar to the Guernsey bubble. Definitely something to consider

  • Posted by ChicP May 05, 2020 at 22:04

    I agree that “the few could spoil it for the many”, as the person who originally wrote this suggests.
    It would seem sensible, however, if INDIVIDUAL people who live alone were allowed to have the company of someone else. Either another person who lives alone or a small family.
    I know we are trying to NOT have bridges between households which allow the virus to cross, but if both households are free from the virus and are following all the rules, then it should be a minimal risk. The mental health need for company is perhaps more important than the physical health risk.

  • Posted by julselis May 05, 2020 at 23:34

    Very well said...I have posted a comment under a very similar thread about social bubbles so I wo'n repeat it in full, but the isolation for people living alone is brutal. I have physical health issues, now my mental health is plummeting, and the difference it would make if I could meet a friend or a volunteer / worker outside would be amazing. My main concern is that it is not just limited to meeting family members, as many of us don't have any, or have any who live close enough to meet us!
    Several people I know who volunteer for mental health charities have said they would be willing to meet clients outside for a walk if they were allowed....Isn't that a fantastic idea?

  • Posted by Rainbowbright May 06, 2020 at 08:31

    Such a good idea.

  • Posted by Annie1 May 06, 2020 at 09:57

    Isolation for those living alone could be creating MH issues for them. Family member recently lost spouse after long term illness and is now grieving alone. Despite keeping in daily contact through messaging etc I’m very concerned that he has no human contact other than once a fortnight when shopping.

  • Posted by lynnemacsween May 06, 2020 at 11:32

    Need to consider mental health of everyone however those who live alone should be considered for easing of restriction earlier as long as social distancing is understood. Spare a thought for those living with a partner who is abusive, maybe better on your own............
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