For many of us, including me, religious faith and practice are of enormous significance in helping us to live with the realities of living with mental health problems. Prayer, the structure of services (especially the Eucharist) and the sense of being part of a community where we are all loved and valued; these things have real meaning and power when struggling with intrusive thoughts, and sometimes despairing ones. In the knowledge that these times are hard for everyone everywhere, here are a few suggestions about how to live through lockdown while dealing with mental distress. First of all, Oxfordshire Mind (which has been in continuous existence for over 50 years, a remarkable feat for a voluntary organisation) is still providing advice and support services for anyone with a mental health problem, and for concerned families and friends. Their Information and Line is open Mon-Thurs from 9.30 to 4.30, and on Fridays from 9.30 to 4 pm. The number is 01865 247788. The full Mind Guide to mental health services in Oxfordshire is available online atoxfordshiremind.org.ukAnd the wonderful Safe Haven crisis service (personally checked out by Alice Hicks and me at a user-only open event last year) is open Fri, Sat, Sun and Monday evenings from 6 - 10 pm. The phone number is 01865 903037 and the line is open from 5 pm each evening of operation. For myself, I have found following a familiar routine to be helpful during these strange times. I?m under the mild form of lockdown where I?m allowed out for daily exercise, and I value my walks. Prayer, music and reading comforting or inspiring books - nothing too heavy or bleak! - help to ground me. I aim to make one phone call a day to a friend or family member who is on their own, or struggling. I love the Codeword puzzles in the papers (the Independent?s is online, but the Guardian?s only appears in the print version) and the crosswords. Clearing out cupboards and filing cabinets doesn?t fill me with enthusiasm, so I?m avoiding those tasks for now, but I quite like cleaning and it makes sense to do it when we are all trying to avoid infection. Like most of us, I?m concentrating on staying well through this crisis. I remind myself that God is always present and the Church still exists, even when so much has fallen silent. The weekly bulletins are helpful, although I?ve not been tempted to Zoom yet!
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