COVID-19

The spread of COVID-19 has made this a worrying time, worldwide, and feelings of anxiety and fear are entirely understandable. It’s natural to be concerned about your health, the health of your loved ones, and the knock-on social, emotional and economic effects that are happening, especially when the situation is evolving quickly.

We know that Changing Faces’ clients are more likely to have conditions that confer higher risk, and we appreciate that this will put extra strain on some of you who may already have been struggling emotionally. We also understand that self-isolation, extended periods of working from home, and other social distancing measures can all contribute to feelings of loneliness and disconnect.

If you’re finding it difficult to cope, please know that you are not alone. If you’re based in the UK you can call Samaritans at any time, day or night, to talk about how you’re feeling. You don’t have to be in suicidal crisis; they’re there for problems big and small. Their number is free to call on 116 123. You can also call other helplines such as Mind InfoLine and SANEline.

For the latest information and advice, please visit gov.uk/government/topical-e... - but be mindful of the type and amount of information you’re consuming. It is good to be well-informed, but watching rolling news coverage can be overwhelming, lead to obsessive thoughts, and do more harm than good.

The advice is to wash your hands thoroughly and often, avoid touching your face, and self-isolate if you feel unwell. And, as ever, be kind to one another during this difficult time.

- Ellie