ADVICE FOR COPING WITH THE CHALLENGES OF COVID-19 THURSDAY, MAY 06, 2021

Extracted from the Western People Article - Western People — Advice for coping with the challenges of Covid-19 | Western People https://westernpeople.ie/2021/05/06/advice-for-coping-with-the-challenges-of-covid-19/

A Swinford-based counsellor has shared his experiences of helping people cope with their mental health throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as general mental wellbeing strategies.

Eugene Greaney has been an accredited counsellor since 2005 with a very strong background in the field.

He worked as Director of Counseling for the Harristown House Treatment Centre in Castlerea and went on to establish his own practice. He previously owned his own supermarket business for over 25 years before selling the business and going on to study Counselling and Psychotherapy at UCD.

Eugene described the pandemic as a disruptive period that has significantly challenged even the most resilient of people with loss of contact with loved ones and uncertainty and change around working life and social activities adding a lot of difficulty to protecting our mental health.

“This crisis has exacerbated already existing problems and people have found that their ways of coping no longer work. One area of real concern is addiction relapse.

“People who have managed to stay off alcohol, or managed overeating problems, as well as other types of addictive activity, found themselves drawn back into destructive patterns.

“This pandemic has magnified a lot of these problems for most families and a lot of the time people don’t have the skill sets to manage these problems.

“All of these issues respond well in counselling where the issues are clarified with new ways of looking at the situation. Changes that can help to alleviate the distress are worked out in collaboration with the counsellor.”

Financial worries have become a concern amplified by the past year and Eugene says communication is key to helping deal with these issues during a difficult period.

“All members of the family need to be aware of the current financial situation. For example, if someone has lost a job or income has been reduced, then all family members need to understand everyone in the family has a role to play in helping each other through the difficulties by been realistic and keeping expectations to a minimum during these difficult times.

“Prioritise what is the most pressing financial need. Be realistic about what is coming into the house and budget accordingly. Make the most of what the income can allow for the home.”

Equally, the current situation has put a strain on some relationships. Eugene says openness and awareness are key to working through any arising issues.

“Communication is the key to surviving through difficult times. Working on a good attitude can help greatly to alleviate stress and tension in the relationship. For example, being compassionate towards a partner rather than being angry and resentful can greatly help the relationship.

“Practice small acts of kindness and tolerance. Give each other plenty of space, both emotionally and physically.

“Trying to understand each other’s differences in how you both see things is very important. It allows each person to feel listened to in the relationship which is very important.”

Eugene said the change brought on by the pandemic brought with it a chance to grow but admitted it would be hard to see that, with so little clarity around the near future. He said people should go easy on themselves if they have any of these particular concerns.

“It is important to first look after your own needs like life balance, good diet, sleep, exercise and having a structured routine. These simple steps will help alleviate stress and worries.”

If you are thinking about getting some help, a good first step is to talk to your doctor if you feel you are struggling or speak to trusted friends and family members about how you are feeling.

“Anxiety can feel very isolating but you won’t be the only one feeling worried about the future. A problem shared is a problem halved,” says Eugene.

“All of these can help but counseling, in particular, is the specialised profession in helping identify and alleviate problems that just don’t seem to go away on their own even with support from friends.”

Eugene works with a wide range of clients including adolescents, who he said were already going through a period of great individual upheaval, even before the pandemic.

“Adolescents want to find acceptance and a sense of identity, especially with their peers. New pressures on young people emerge, and on the more extreme side sometimes they can be at risk from bullying. Some parents can find themselves at a loss as to how to manage this period.

“Managing young people through these times can be very challenging for both the parents and the young people themselves. Having support and insight into the causes of conflict from someone trustworthy outside the family can be of great value for both the parent and the young person.”

Eugene encouraged anyone who feels they need to talk about how they are feeling in situations of stress and anxiety to find a method of communication that works best for them.

“It can sometimes feel uncomfortable sharing something so personal, but explaining how your feelings are affecting your life may help others to understand. Don’t expect too much from one conversation. Understanding mental health problems can take some time.

“By talking about your issues or problems you are already looking at the solutions to the problem which will make you feel more in control as the answers become more real and believable to you.”

Eugene Greaney is an accredited counselling therapist. He can be contacted on 085-1874144 with consultations by appointment only.