Social care staff coping with depression during coronavirus crisis
This is a series of blogs sharing tips and resources to cope with common issues that our staff tell us they are experiencing during the coronavirus crisis.
We recently carried out a staff temperature check, to ask our staff to describe how they are feeling during this crisis. There were lots of positive responses, but staff also told us they were tired and stressed, which is perfectly understandable – these are challenging times for all social care staff.
Some also reported feeling low or depressed, which is perfectly understandable. Take a look at the resources below, for ideas on tactics to help you cope with these feelings as well as where you can get more support. We know that our frontline staff always put the people they support first, but it is so important to look after yourselves.
Coping with depression and feeling low
National charity Mind have some great resources about low mood and depression, including symptoms, self care and information for friends and family – as well as videos and information about people’s experiences.
Sometimes it feels like a black hole but sometimes it feels like I need to cry and scream and kick and shout. Sometimes I go quiet and lock myself in my room and sometimes I have to be doing something at all times of the day to distract myself.
Irish charity Extern also have great resources including the TACKLE six steps to improving well-being.
Of course the NHS Every Mind Matters website has a useful section on coping with low mood, including things you can do now, as well as longer term coping strategies. They also have a short video which covers what you can do for low mood.
Living Life to the Full (LLTF) teaches a range of life skills that are based on the CBT approach, to aim to improve wellbeing and resilience. They have worksheets on a range of topics including:
Please take the time out to look after yourselves, and stay safe and healthy. If you are struggling at any time, please ask for help, we are all in this together and need to look out for each other.
Kirsty Millward
FitzRoy Head of Quality