We will extend a hand to ease the loneliness

AN OFFICE for National Statistics (ONS) analysis published in June revealed that more than 30% of adults in Britain reported that their wellbeing had been affected by feelings of loneliness in the past week during the lockdown period.

The increase in loneliness is of particular concern to us at Hafal, as our own research shows that people in Wales with a mental illness and their carers are already much more likely to experience loneliness. How must they be feeling?

Last year we launched Hafal’s Promise – our pledge to provide ongoing support to people in Wales affected by mental illness and their carers – in a bid to tackle loneliness and isolation. I’m Hafal’s Promise Ambassador, which means I champion the pledge across Wales.

The Promise provides continuous support, advice and friendship to people beyond our services via our online community Clic, email, phone (text and call), faceto-face and social media.

In response to the coronavirus outbreak we have worked hard to ensure that Hafal’s Promise continues to be implemented and delivered across Wales. We are committed to providing help, support, advice and friendship for people in Wales, and because we feel so strongly about this, we take responsibility ourselves wherever necessary to ensure that they will not have to cope alone.

Unsurprisingly, the need for Hafal’s Promise has never been greater.

Hafal’s Promise saw a 300% increase in the first two months of lockdown. In April we conducted a survey about mental health during the lockdown which revealed that the mental health of 74% of respondents had been negatively affected by the coronavirus outbreak, and that loneliness and isolation was a major contributor to this.

During these unprecedented times I have felt vulnerable, alone and isolated from time to time, especially living alone – except for my working cocker spaniel, who has kept me company. Man’s best friend has been a godsend for me. My dog has been a massive blessing as he needs several walks a day and I need to get him out in the fresh air. This has allowed me to get moving early in the morning and start the day, however difficult times have been.

For me, lockdown has been extremely difficult and I, like many other people, have found it hard to remain upbeat and positive with the future being uncertain – and various other worries. During these moments I have had to draw on my previous professional sports background to challenge myself to stay active and driven in very unusual circumstances. The knowledge and skill set I have gained throughout my professional rugby playing career and strength and conditioning background has allowed me to have a goal for each day.

The food that I eat and the energy I expel has given me a lift; however it has been a challenge, with some days spent feeling totally lost and unable to motivate myself or even move.

I was asked by Hafal as their Promise Ambassador to share my knowledge and try to lift some people who have limited mobility and poor access to facilities, and that has given me a purpose and role. The sense of achieving something and trying to help other less fortunate people in difficult times has lifted me.

The videos on Hafal’s social media are there to show that by doing a little exercise and trying to eat and drink a little more healthily we can help a little with our own mental health and wellbeing. Doing some form of exercise is not just about improving your aerobic capacity and improving your muscle strength and tone – regular exercise releases hormones in the body called endorphins which help us feel better.

Regular exercise can have a profound effect and also have a positive impact on depression, ADHD, stress and many more mental health issues. These hormones that are produced can improve one’s self-esteem and mood and also alleviate stress.

Like everyone else in Wales, I look forward to the day when things are back to normal and we can enjoy each other’s company again with no restrictions – and I’m sure we’ll appreciate it even more.

In the meantime, given that contact with mental health services has been heavily reduced during the pandemic, it’s vital that support such as Hafal’s Promise is fully resourced – and that face-toface contact, which is so important for people with a mental illness and their carers, is re-established as soon as it is safe to do so.