With lockdown restrictions finally starting to ease, people in Bucks are being urged to take care of their mental health.
The call comes from Sue Clark who has been a counsellor in Aylesbury for four years.
Sue said she has seen a rise in depression and anxiety, particularly during the latest lockdown. She said people need to be aware of what we have lived through over the past 12 months.
Sue explained: “A lot of people had the rug yanked out from underneath them. The time we’re living in is something that most of us have not experienced before. It’s a time of a lot of loss. There’s loss of control. There’s a loss of people, of connections with people, of loved ones that have died during this period and a loss of purpose for some people in that they have jobs they can’t go to right now and are not sure what to do with themselves.”
Sue said she is particularly concerned about how young people and first year university students in particular have dealt with the pandemic.
She added: “Lots of young people don’t quite know what the future holds for them because of things they can’t control right now. This time of life is very uncertain and stressful for them at the best of times with exams and making decisions about their future. Now you have the added complications.
“If you think about what life is like for children and young people, it’s about discovery, it’s about meeting people, it’s about learning things. It is difficult not having the freedom to actually explore and make the discoveries on your own because your movements are restricted.
Imagine what it’s like for first year university students. All through your schooling you’re working up to going to university. It’s going to be this great thing, meeting people, doing exciting things and you’re locked up in your dorm.”
If you are concerned about your mental health, Sue said there are some simple steps to follow.
She revealed: “Take care of yourself physically. There is a connection between the mind and the body. Make sure you’re eating right, make sure you’re getting good sleep, make sure that you are making connections with people and keep well hydrated.
“Make sure you are getting out. Exercising is a great way of releasing endorphins in the body and getting outside is going to help with your sleep patterns.
“Be kind to yourself. We’re all going through something extraordinary.”
For more information on Sue and her counselling services, go to polestarcounselling.co.uk
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