Strengthening Support through CoVID-19
Dear 7 Cups Community,
We have been and are entering a challenging time as individuals, families, and regions face CoVID-19. Its a time of feeling isolated and concerned for your friends and family. But please remember that we are all in this together, you are not alone. I wanted to update you on the things we are doing to increase support around the world.
Our efforts started when a group in Wuhan reached out to see if we could help provide support for people in quarantine. We started the quarantine support forum to help answer questions and provide guidance in these unique circumstances. You can access the forum here. Lisa, our Clinical Director, wrote up an excellent post on what you can do to support people in quarantine here. As with most things, it is the simple things like listening, reaching out, and being consistently reliable that help quite a bit.
We have also re-started our translation efforts. Our goal is to translate the key parts of the site in the top 5 languages in the next few weeks. You can read more on this initiative here. If you are fluent in any of these languages and would like to help, then we would welcome your efforts to help us make faster progress.
Additionally, look for news from @Heather225 and @asilentobserver and @hope for a new CoVID-19 group support room that will open soon.
We think this will be a particularly challenging time as we collectively adapt to the new landscape, but believe there is space in this crisis to learn how to better cope and support one another as well. If you need support, then know that we are here for you.
If you would like to listen to others, then you can sign up to be a listener here.
If you have other thoughts and ideas on ways we can work together to come out of this stronger, then we would love to hear them. These ideas can happen on 7 Cups, on other sites, or offline. Please share ideas in our forum here.
Our community is hard at work to help scale support. Our team is thinking of you and your families and sending you beams. We believe that we will grow through this and be stronger on the other side.
Sincerely,
Glen
Dealing with the COVID19 on a day by day basis. It has added a layer of panic to my already existing disorder that is really difficult to deal with. I also do not have the support of my parents (who were my support people) because they have to self-isolate. Taking care of 2 kids with no support from the Dad and no income because I'm a restaurant worker and got laid off. I'm scared, but seems to help by just focusing on one day at a time. Every day that I make it through is a victory!
@crimsonHuman917 a you are such a strong being! Hang in there and try your best. Find fun activities to engage in and remember to engage in self care. Gotta take care of you to be able to take care of others. :)
@crimsonHuman917 I am sorry to hear you are so alone but hopefully well.
I know there are many situations that are challenging but different government programs are available in different countries.
Let me know in a PM if you need resources.
Wow. It seems I'm so not alone in this madness!
I'm trying to take every day as it comes. I am living with my girlfriend but I used to go and see my grandparents and my mam at least once a week, but normally more. I feel like although they are right there, I am so disconnected from them. It really is difficult.
My grandparents are both over 70, so they are high risk. My mam has MS, so she is high risk. My Dad has an undiagnosed cough which he has had for about a year, so as much as we know he doesn't have Coronavirus, he is also vulnerable. My brother is on immunosuppressants so again, he is in the list. I have diabetes (type 1) so I don't want to go anywhere as I am terrified I'll get ketones if I get the virus.
My girlfriend is having to do all of the shopping and prescription collecting by herself. I feel bad.
I am working from home now, as are most. It is very difficult to adjust and I just can't believe I am living through something like this. I never imagined this would happen in my lifetime. It is like watching a film.
@crazydoglady2020
No, you're NOT alone. What you're feeling is what so many of us are feeling. It's our new normal (for now) but we'll get through it. Blessed wishes to your family and you.
@ThisTooShallPass2016
Thank you, stay safe x
New here! I am worried about of getting sick but mainly worried about being stuck inside and alone and how long this will go on
Welcome @ButterflyCarly 
I understand, it's a new normal for us all. I agree it feels different not being able to visit my family and friends. Not really used to that. Are you able to connect with any family or friends via social media? A friend of mine hosted a virtual bday celebration. It was different but creative. I'm teaching the little ones in my family how to become pen pals (yup via snail mail
) to show them that there are different ways to stay in touch with those we love. I guess what I'm trying to say is that we must control the pieces that we can. There are also alot of resources here in the forum to help you to connect with others. Again, welcome and blessed wishes to your family and you.
@ThisTooShallPass2016 Thank you! I do talk to friends and family some on media and the phone. I am trying to do aerobics watching youtube video and I hope to get some spring cleaning done. Just trying to get motivated for that ;) I am still looking around on here and trying to figure out all the things offered. I am thankful I have dogs and a parrot to keep my company but life sure is strange right now. My roommate is in the hospital (unrelated to covid) and has been for a few weeks and will be for a few more so that has been hard to deal with as well on top of this. I am just trying to keep up hope that things will change soon.
@ButterflyCarly
This week has been rough, one friend (under 50) passed this week, two family members in the hospital (one in ICU), another family member diagnosed with cancer. It's alot to deal with along with the COVID stress. I don't know where I'd be right now without my faith. God is really covering my mind and filling me with peace and giving me the strength to try to support them all. I am however also grateful to have 7 CUPS as one of MY supports.
Also, I whispered a prayer for your roommate's speedy recovery and pray that God gives you the strength to endure all that you have going on. Remember tough times don't last always. This too shall pass. Blessed wishes.
@ThisTooShallPass2016- you are so generous to reach out to others with all the health issues on your plate. I ran into my neighbor yessterday who has terminal cancer- staring death in the face. HIs faith also is strong. Blessings to you and yours. And yes this too shall pass in 2020.
@barncat
Thank you for your kindness. If nothing else positive comes from COVID-19, I've been amazed at and inspired by the kindness of others (even in grocery stores). Wish it did not take this type of tragedy to bring it out, nonetheless, it's a beautiful thing to watch.
@ThisTooShallPass2016 Thank you! I am sorry for all you are dealing with right now. That is a lot. I have said a prayer for her and her friends/family members!
@ButterflyCarly
Thank you so much. I truly believe in the power of prayer. Again thank you for your kindness.
Hi there! Since this outbreak, so many restaurants including my own have closed down putting so many of us in the restaurant industry out of jobs. I have been searching and applying non stop and keep getting rejection emails or jobs telling me they have reached their max. I'm 21 taking care of of my younger 2 siblings and paying for everything.I am so mad at myself for not being responsbile with my money or not prepping enough for a disaster like this to happen. I have some outside help but I feel so bad that their giving me so much when I can give nothing back. I just feel depressed, always cooped up at home and only going out to do errands. I've lost so much motivation in the morning and feel like I have no sense of direction. I feel like I'm going no where and I'm stuck. I want a sense of purpose again and not just waste myself on being sad all the time. Any advice for me is greatly appreciated.
@sunteq26 sorry to hear you are out of work and feeling down about it. This is difficult for all of us in different ways so you are not alone.
I am trying not to look back and see what I should have done. I have perfect 20-20 hindsight looking in the rear view mirror but when going through life looking in rear view mirror does not help me deal with the present. Someone I know and have heard many times states this more eloquently than me so here are a couple youtube links
Self Compassion https://youtu.be/mpVsedh2LNs
Mindful Acceptance https://youtu.be/ss1_s5gajyY
I am scared
I'm very anxious these days. Almost depressed. I have a panic disorder that is usually well maintained and under control. Since the COVID pandemic, my anxiety and panic is at an all time high. I am a nurse. I am a mother. I am petrified.
@intuitiveCup6713 I am sorry to hear you are so anxious. There are no easy answers to that but I find that some resources help them. https://www.7cups.com/panic-attacks-help-online/
https://www.7cups.com/anxiety-help/
Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD – Mindfulness Meditation for Pain Relief (Audio) https://youtu.be/QCNXi_0lsCk
Hope you find a way to get through these difficult times.
@intuitiveCup6713- my heart goes out to you- i wish i could wave a magic wand and ease your troubles. know you are NOT alone during these times- thank you for sharing- keep in touch- 7 cups takes care of each other. As a retired ICU rn I am torn between gratitude and guilt for not being on the front lines. Most important- take care of yourself- oh and BREATHE ( it really is so simple when we are stressed)
Thanks for your kind words everyone
This is all very hard to deal with. I feel for the world, especially those who have fallen ill to this horrible disease. It has me terrified now. I have kids, and I can't let them outside for fear they will get sick.
Hi, I hope you are finding ways to cope with this difficult situation. In my country(as in many countries worldwide) there is a lot of people who are sick, there are not enough doctors and equipment and people have to wait a loong time in order to receive help(either in hospitals or dealing with the death of their loved ones, and even in some cases there are people who have died on the streets or even inside the houses). So, even though the circumstances are like the ones we find in movies and worse, there are ways not to go crazy in the midst of it all... I think that even if it is important to remain positive, it is also important to allow feelings: it is ok to be afraid, it is ok to be angry, it is ok to be scared or angry! it is a scary situation, it is finding ourselves in the middle of the unknown and what seems like a hurricane... but this too will pass as everything, we can't control the virus, but we can try to find some peace in the middle of it all ... where? inside, always inside ourselves... when the external circumstances fall apart, all we have, alll we always had but we were bussy looking outside was inside... our refuge, our home.
Focusing on, and appreciating, things that feel good really helps me.
Also, there are plenty of good things about the current conditions.
Ive had a chance to slow down, evaluate where Im at, and make some positive changes that Im pretty sure I wouldnt have made otherwise.
Being here on 7cups, for example. I had a pretty good mental and emotional health routine and support system in place before.
The change in conditions made me realize that I needed to add to it, got me thinking about what I would like to have.
Then I started looking, and now Im here!
@Lakshmi108 and I am glad you are here !
@soulsings Thanks! Me, too. 😊
@Lakshmi108,
Thank you for sharing and welcome,
Richyshiny39
@Lakshmi108. That's exactly why I joined. I just felt that I was processing everything so well including a move last month and distance learning for my teenager that it wouldn't hurt to have something new for my toolbox. Also I wanted to help in some way during this time.
@Lakshmi108 Welcome!