COVID-19 and isolation

[Bri MT]

Recently we've all been hearing a lot about COVID-19 and changes being made to flatten the curve. By now you'll likely have heard about AN's lecture series going online as part of this  too. There's been constant adaptation required from people regardless of their role or situation, with different people feeling the impact in different ways but one thing that's consistent across everyone is this concept of "social isolation".

I put it in quotation marks because although I absolutely encourage listening to the information we've been getting about keeping the 1.5m, avoiding attending gatherings where possible etc. none of these things about about social isolation - they're about physical isolation.

It's easy when things are difficult, are stressful, are uncertain and are changing to withdraw from others and keep yourself locked in your head. It's in these times, more than ever, when we should resist that impulse and lean on our social connection and bonds. Just because we shouldn't be meeting up to talk in person doesn't mean we shouldn't be talking at all.

Plan video calls with your friends, play games together online, try out online study groups, send messages, write letters... however you can best connect and get in your social time. We don't know how long this is going to last and humans are social animals - don't unnecessarily deprive yourself. If you don't feel like you have anyone to talk to - or even if you do - consider finding online communities that match your interests and taking a step to say hi.

I also recommend looking at information mental health organisations like beyond blue have published about coping during the coronavirus outbreak.

We're all going through this together. It will end, but you don't need to wait until then to maintain and build your friendships