When I watched this mini documentary about film maker Tanya Regan and her families experience during 2020 and the pandemic, I felt compelled to share it with you all.
Tanya's mental health, as I am sure a lot of other people's mental health was affected by the world pandemic of COVID-19. Tanya decided to document her experience for future generations and also in the process illustrate that it was okay not to feel okay.
"This is the thing about mental health, it is not comparative suffering. If a person is drowning in a 10cm puddle or a 5 meter pool they are still drowning." ~ Tanya Regan
In Western Australia, after the initial world outbreak, we experienced regional borders and the mass panic buying lead to a lack of toilet paper and essential food products. We were limited to how many items we could buy, and the world felt it would never be the same again. Thankfully since, life here has been relatively normal compared to the rest of the world, and at times the rest of Australia. We have lived in a bubble, and at times it is too easy to forget what others are going through all over the world.
Media has bombarded us with doom and gloom, and at times it has been hard to not be effected by this chaos and become overwhelmed by it.
If you are experiencing mental health problems please seek help from family and friends or support services.
I have posted a list of services below the documentary.
To learn more about Tanya Regan - visit - https://www.tanyaregan.me/
Telephone: 1300 224 636 Available: 24/7 Website: beyondblue.org.au Online chat: 3pm-12am (AEST) 7 days a week
Provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live and will support people in the right direction to seek further help.
Telephone: (08) 9223 1111 Available: 24/7
Crisis Care is a telephone information and counselling service for people in crisis needing urgent help. It’s a Government of Western Australia, Department of Communities Child Protection and Family Support service.
Website: headtohealth.gov.au Online chat
Head to Health is an Australian Department of Health website providing information, resources, and services for those wanting to improve their overall sense of wellbeing, or need help with something that is concerning them, or for those helping someone they care about.
Telephone: 13 RUAH (13 7824) Available: Online 24 hour support Email: connecting@ruah.org.au Website: ruah.org.au
Provides information to help with recovery and promote mental health and wellbeing.
Telephone: 135 247 Available: 24/7
Samaritans is a not for profit organisation working on reducing the suicide rate and promoting the importance of mental health. They provide 24/7 anonymous crisis support services in Australia.
Phone: Helpline 1800 18 7263 Available: weekdays, 10am-10pm AEST) Helpline email: helpline@sane.org Website: sane.org Helpline chat: Chat online with a mental health professional (weekdays 10am-10pm AEST)
SANE forums: Online Forums for information and support. Anonymous and moderated 24/7.
The SANE Help Centre provides the information, guidance, and referrals you need to manage mental health concerns. SANE is a national charity helping all Australians affected by mental illness.
Telephone: 1300 659 467 Available: 24/7 across Australia Website: suicidecallbackservice.org.au
The Suicide Call Back Service is a 24-hour, nationwide service that provides telephone and online counselling to people 15 years and over who fit one of the following categories:
People who are suicidal
People caring for someone who is suicidal
People bereaved by suicide
Health professionals supporting people affected by suicide.
The Suicide Call Back Service is especially suited to people who are geographically or emotionally isolated.
Website: yourhealthinmind.org
This website allows you to search for a psychiatrist in your area and provides expert information about mental health issues, treatments, psychiatrists, and how to get help.
You can find out:
the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist
what psychiatrists do and how they can help with mental health issues
what happens when you visit a psychiatrist
how to find and get in touch with a psychiatrist.
This site is produced by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).
Telephone: 1800 737 732 Available: 24 hours Website: 1800respect.org.au Chat online 24 hours
National sexual assault, domestic or family violence counselling service.