Connecting with other people is really important for our mental wellbeing and has never been as important as it is now. Having someone to connect with can provide emotional support or gives you an opportunity to provide support to others.
Planning a certain time or day that you talk to a family member or friend, will give you something to look forward to and will make you more likely to reach out and make that connection.
Week planner
Try this week planner to help you with some of the tips mentioned in the page above
DownloadThe Community Call programme was introduced last year through the Local Authorities, to provide practical supports, information and befriending. This programme has now been expanded to work with the Gardai, HSE, Local Authorities, An Post, community groups, charities, residents associations, and so on, to reach out to any vulnerable person, or those in isolation all across the community, regardless of age, gender, nationality or geography. You can find contact details for your local authority here
It will ensure that everybody is given the opportunity to engage with the Community Call assistance programme to receive befriending services, practical supports and more complex supports where necessary.
Befriending supports will be rolled out at local and national level and will include phone outreach, access to expertise in the handling of anxiety, stress or mental health issues, linking with volunteers or local authority personnel for practical physical supports, one to one buddying with volunteers and neighbours, and development of virtual group chats between neighbours.
Go to gov.ie/communitycall for more details.
It is very important that social contact is maintained with people who are isolated in their homes at this time, even if it's a friendly phone call. Even if you are not a formal volunteer, checking in via call or text with a vulnerable person in your locality can make a huge difference.
There are also a range of initiatives that people can avail of during this time:
Those who have long term health conditions may be more at risk from serious illness related to COVID-19 and will need to take extra care to protect themselves.
Here are some simple tips for taking care of yourself during this time:
Irish Cancer Society has many supports and resources available to help those living with or recently diagnosed with cancer and those who are caring for them. Visit their webpage here or call their helpline at 1800 200 700.
COVID – 19 has affected us all, but for some of us in our communities this year has been especially difficult. Amongst them are people with dementia and their families, who have felt increased loneliness and isolation, depression, anxiety and carer fatigue. Sometimes people with dementia may need a little bit of support to stay connected and active in social and physical activities, to access public spaces or to eat well.
If would like to find out how you can support a person with dementia and their families, resources and training opportunities, you can Freephone the Helpline provided by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland at 1800 341 341 or visit www.understandtogether.ie or their Facebook page
Dementia: Understand Together is a public support, awareness and information campaign led by the HSE, working with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Age Friendly Ireland, that aims to inspire people from all sections of society to stand together with the 500,000 Irish people whose families have been affected by dementia and to take actions to create inclusive communities.
This is a prototype - your feedback will help us to improve it.