On April 24th An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar launched a new initiative called #InThisTogether to help look after people’s physical and mental wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic. This new campaign aims to help everyone in Ireland to Stay Connected, Stay Active, and look after their Mental Health & Wellbeing throughout the Covid-19 Emergency.
The ongoing restrictions due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) are causing significant disruption to everyone’s lives and daily routines. While it is normal to be worried or to feel stressed during this difficult time, there are many things we can do to help us mind our mental health and wellbeing with Mr Varadkar stressing that it was more important than ever to stay mentally fit as well as physically fit and staying connected.
Speaking at the launch, An Taoiseach said:
“I understand that people are anxious and they are worried. Above all, we all need to look after ourselves, whether you’re an older person cocooning at home, working at home or laid off during the Emergency.
We all need to stay physically active, stay connected with friends and family, and look after our mental health. So we are launching #InThisTogether to encourage everyone to look after themselves. We’re in this together and we will come out of it together too. So let’s set ourselves the target to do something each day to make us feel a little healthier and a little happier.”
Whether you are looking after children, dealing with self-isolation, preparing for the Leaving Cert, or dealing with cabin fever the #InThisTogether campaign contains lots of useful advice for people of all ages to help cope with the ongoing restrictions and 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 and you can even find details of local initiatives on the In This Together website.
Mental Health Supports and Services During COVID-19
The HSE Website also has a handy list of Mental Health Supports and Services During COVID-19 with contact details for a number of service providers that offer online and phone mental health supports and services. These services include online counselling, phone and text services as well as online supports which can be found on www.yourmentalhealth.ie. The full list of supports and services can be found here: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/mental-health-services/connecting-for-life/news/supports-and-services-during-covid-19.html
Other Useful Resources
Limerick Mental Health Association
Email: info@limerickmentalhealth.ie
Ph: 087 2485742
Mental Health Ireland
Email: info@mentalhealthireland.ie
Ph: 01 284 1166
Office for Mental Health Engagement & Recovery
Email:mhengage@hse.ie or jackie.farrell@hse.ie
Ph: 01 620 7303 or 087 2865346
Samaritans
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Ph: 116 123