Mental Health Crisis In Lockdown

A message from the CEO

“I thought I would share some insights to what it’s like to caring for someone who has experienced a mental health crisis across borders who is in lockdown. It is not easy.

This is the most common scenario the Mind Blank organisation has been called into deal with over the last 12 months. An example of our work in action can be seen in the case study.

Mind Blank have been able to help skill workplaces to be equipped with suicide prevention tactics and action steps. We are finding that many workplaces have come to us where staff are trained with mental health first aid, however, they have come to the Mind Blank team to help put some skills into action through our roll play scenario’s.

I wholeheartedly believe that we need to skill people to know what to do in a time of need. They also need to practice what early intervention feels like to not get caught up in the sinking rabbit hole of becoming an accidental counsellor. The health sector has waiting lists and we need to be able to do what we can when people are left vulnerable.

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On a personal level, I will share a story behind my motivation to want to help inthis sector space. I am writing this as a demonstration of some action steps that can take place to help support someone in a time of need.  

My direct network knows that I am a carer for a parent who struggles with PTSD which can often lead to suicide ideation. Most days are good ones.  The reality is mental health triggers can come at any time. Most recently it was the COVID lockdowns, being estranged from family, and facing a medical-surgical procedure that triggered a depressive episode.
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Here are some mental health mitigating strategies I was able to put in place to help support them: once I identified the signs of their mental health erosion I organising the removal of harm devices; offered crisis support numbers; and monitoring 6, 12, and24-hour check-ins ph calls (thankfully they are doing fine now and have recovered well).

To sustain my efforts I put some personal boundaries in place, took some time off work, and arranged alternate professional support for my own mental health. 

Things that have helped my mental health during this time include:
# Hugs from my partner.
# Having meals cooked for me.
# Going for a walk even when I’m not in the mood.
# Voicing that I’m not ok, even if it means I’m a blubbering mess.
# Sleeping in.
# Taking time off work.
# Having lunch with a good friend.
# Letting my network know what’s going on to help lift the mood.

I am sharing the above story in hope that we can all embrace that there should be no shame in asking for help. My network around me has been incredibly supportive, caring, and helpful. As I am an empath I must admit the news triggers, the creative arts crisis, and the general difficult times we are all going through did wear me down. I am proud to share admit that time out from the news and heavy brain tasks absolutely revived me.

Do you know how to help someone in testing times? Here is an eight step framework to get you started: click here.

If you need help now?