Mental health in lockdown: how has tech helped?
As lockdown begins to ease, collectively we’ve started to look back at recent months and take stock.
The past few weeks of disruption, confusion, progression and intensely rapid social change have meant that many have found it difficult to cope. But how has technology played a role in helping maintain good mental health practices throughout the pandemic?
It’s important to note that with widespread inequality many still do not have the access or skills for the online support that others have benefited from over the past months. However, in the wake of a global pandemic it is undeniable how indebted our society has been to the possibilities of technology to help us continue our daily lives; solving our problems, keeping us connected and providing vital spaces to talk.
Throughout lockdown, The Federation has been exploring how we can keep our tenants and co-workers connected as part of a community. Hosting Zoom water-cooler chats each week and quiz nights for the community, these spaces have been providing the opportunity to chat and connect with colleagues for something as simple as just a natter.
It’s also been great to see so many of our residents adapting their ways of working to prioritise mental wellbeing during this period. One organisation that has been championing mental health for some time now is WeAreASSIF. In advance of the launch of a mental wellbeing companion app later this year, WeAreASSIF has been focusing energy on creating educational but entertaining discussion groups, helpful articles and inspiring podcasts to assist people through this period. Their weekly meet-ups, or HumpDay Huddles, have been a great success in bringing together the community to discuss the intersections between mental health and a variety of issues, like race, creativity, lockdown and many more. You can join the HumpDay Huddle group here.
However, WeAreASSIF isn’t the only Federation resident utilising the possibilities of connective technology. Organisations like Amity CIC has been able to transfer its programme of wellbeing workshops, 1–2–1 counselling and mentoring online, extending services to a wider audience. Similarly, Andy’s Man Club, a men’s mental health peer support network, has been running Zoom support sessions and Facebook Live drop-ins, reaching men nationwide throughout lockdown. Widening their reach can mean the physical barriers that existed for some, pre-COVID, are reduced, so many different groups now can privately and personally access these previously inaccessible resources.
Technology has continued to provide vital online spaces across the country too, as we’ve seen in the excellent work by Co-op Member Pioneers nationwide. Using the tech solutions accessible to them and the Co-operate platform (to help share and find things in their communities), Member Pioneers, like Sherry Tolson from Bath to Swindon area and Aimi Barton in Macclesfield, have been creating virtual networks to keep isolated members of their communities connected. In Sherry’s case, she has been using Zoom to hold wellbeing sessions for volunteers working hard to serve their communities, even enlisting the help of several local wellbeing experts to run webinar workshops with tips to keep well and motivated. Over in Macclesfield, Aimi has been doing similar, connecting her community through online networks and setting up a safe space for people to voice their struggles. And all the way up in Hebden Bridge, Member Pioneer Caroline Beardsmore has been linking vulnerable people in her community with mental health qualified professionals and counsellors through messenger apps, creating a web of support for those most in need.
As a society we’re making great strides in bringing mental health to the forefront of people’s minds, pioneered globally by a wealth of excellent and innovative tech solutions. However before the solution comes prevention, and the simple fact is that we need to do much more about changing the stigma around mental health by talking openly and honestly about our feelings.
Dominic from The Federation team states; ‘I personally have struggled on and off with depression since I was ten and have always been very quick to hide my depression from my family & friends. I came from a family with a mindset that if you have mental health issues you were weak, and when you’re told this from such an early age you really start to believe it.
We need to recognise our triggers; anything from dates to movies to loneliness. My triggers are the times around the anniversary of my mother’s death, Mother’s Day & Christmas; times when I feel abandoned and at my lowest, where I start to think about my worth, my life and start to beat myself up in my head.
After years of depression, I have made it my challenge to support others and in a round about way support myself. I am now one of a team of mental health first aiders at the Co-op supporting colleagues, especially important now during these uncertain times.’
We must continue the admirable community cohesion and mutual aid that we have begun during the pandemic, and continue supporting our friends, families, colleagues and neighbours, and especially those who may not have access to the tech solutions available.
If, during lockdown, you have felt isolated or lonely, try reaching out to somebody close to you and speak openly about how you’re feeling. Maybe you can join a peer support network like Andy’s Man Club, or you can browse the Co-operate website for excellent mental wellbeing tips and tricks and ways to get involved in projects in your community.
Co-op are also working with Mind, SAMH and Inspire to bring communities together to improve mental wellbeing. If you need support with your mental health or know someone that does, the following can help:
- Contact Mind for support in England and Wales on 0300 123 3393 (lines open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday), text: 86463 or email info@mind.org.uk
- Contact SAMH for support in Scotland on 0344 800 0550 (lines open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays) or email info@samh.org.uk.
- Call Inspire for support in NI on 0289 032 8474 (lines open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday)
Written by Mimi Dearing. With thanks to Dominic from The Federation team for being open and honest in his contribution.
