R U Really OK?

It was encouraging to see all the R U OK? memes and images go up on various social media newsfeeds this week. Just the reminder of the question can be helpful to those who are not ok: that there is an awareness of the struggles that we may face with mental health. It is good for us all to be reminded of this, and therefore be sensitive to the needs of others as they struggle with mental health issues. At this time the likelihood of someone answering “No” to this question is likely to be increased. Even those who may be coping with their lockdown can have days of lacking motivation or purpose that affects their well-being.

The NY Times recently ran an article called “Feeling Blah during the pandemic? It’s called languishing.” Languishing is not quite depression, but it certainly isn’t flourishing. It’s a sense of stagnation or emptiness: likened to living with a foggy windshield. Something is not quite right but you can’t put your finger on it. The warning is that those who are languishing now may not be displaying symptoms now but may experience major depression or anxiety orders in the future.

As much of the nation stops around mid-morning to hear the of the number of vaccinations and the number of Covid-19 cases in each state, and the announcements as we all come closer to opening up - there seems to be hope. Even those states enjoying doughnuts, that is no Covid-19 cases, are affected by the impact of having nearly half of the country’s population in lockdown and the implications of border restrictions.

As we edge closer to higher vaccinations and come closer to ‘opening up’, it may be even more important to ask R U OK?

We have been alerted to the likelihood that even with high vaccination rates, as we open up there may be an increased number of Covid-19 cases, and the possibility of localised lockdowns or isolations. Supply chain issues and reduced resources are also likely to continue for some time.

Our society has become more risk averse since the pandemic, as we all seek to manage the increased load on the health industry. We haven’t snapped back to life as we knew it, but rather are entering into yet another ‘new normal’.

While there is hope there is also quite a bit of uncertainty moving forward. Chances are there many around us who are not OK. Listening, patience and compassion are more important than ever.