Mental health in Jan 2021 and what’s online at Le Chéile this month – a few words from LMHA Chair Dr Lisa O’Rourke Scott

Hi everyone,

A very happy new year to all of you in this most extraordinary of times. The arrival of a global pandemic has inspired many to accomplish all kinds of things; at least if social media posts are to be believed. And then there are new year resolutions; lists of things that people intend to accomplish in 2021. While I congratulate anyone who is managing to overhaul their life, get fit, change career find a new hobby and revitalise relationships; it all seems a bit unrealistic to me. For most of us, adjusting to a world that has changed and is changing around us, setting new goals can just seem like extra pressure that we don’t need. So, my advice to you is if you don’t feel like it, don’t do it. If you don’t want to make new year resolutions or have a detailed plan of things to accomplish – don’t!

Don’t feel the need to do anything except hang in there! It’s plenty and it’s admirable. There is only one outcome you need for 2021 and that’s to get through it the best way you can. If you can make space to be kind to other people getting through it too, then that’s a bonus. I have found that when I am at my most vulnerable, being soft and kind with others can make them treat me the same way. But please be gentle with yourselves and don’t pressurise yourself to accomplish anything out of the ordinary unless you want to.

Hopefully by the end of the year life will have become more like it used to be for most of us. I look forward to getting through 2021 with all of you and if we accomplish new and exciting things that will be a bonus. But for the moment, no pressure …

Warm Regards,

Lisa.