Introduction

2020. Life changing for many. When the global pandemic started gathering pace, the atmosphere quickly darkened as borders and businesses were closed or restricted. As lock-downs came into force and economies began to suffer, people began to question the effect on mental health.

Before there was any mention of a pandemic, I had quit my job and bought a plane ticket to another country. Before the move, people began talking about an epidemic spreading and the mood began to change as we watched businesses and jobs get hit by restrictions and border closures.

Since then I have been fortunate enough to be living in a country where life is mostly normal. Apart from a very lonely two week self-isolation period on entry, I forgot what the initial fear of the pandemic felt like. In my head, it has been happening in distant lands. Then, over the last few weeks, cases popped up in my local area, reminding me of that fear and discomfort once again.

As I analysed my reaction, I began to seriously think about what the fear, the lock-downs, and isolation could be doing to people’s mental health. It occurred to me recently that I have been writing letters to myself for years as a kind of self-therapy for life-long depression. I also realised that I have never re-read most of these letters. I began to wonder if, as a life-long sufferer of depression with an occasional touch of anxiety, I am in a position to offer some perspective. To show you what life looks like through monochrome glasses…

I will be sharing the lessons I have learnt so far along the way, the tools that work for me, and the ongoing struggle of depression.

I am not a medical professional or mental health expert. The tools that work for me may not work for you. If you are suffering symptoms of depression, don’t suffer alone-seek professional help. At the least, talk to someone you trust. If someone you know is showing symptoms of depression, ask them how they’re doing. It’s time to end the stigma. It’s a medical problem and it does not discriminate.

Let’s help each other.