Eva Mutua, a Vet School Masters student from Kenya, is finding things to be grateful for during lockdown. Eva describes how a compassion workshop and compassion practices have enabled her to face fears. Before lockdown was announced, Eva was frightened of being alone, regardless of the pandemic. The compassion workshop that she attended came just in time for her to find ways of turn her fears of loneliness into the discovery of the fruits of solitude. She is enjoying getting to know herself better and thereby leaning also to be a better friend to others. Practices that she particularly finds helpful are: taking time to be with yourself and do something fun just for the joy of it; morning journaling; tuning into your needs so that you can know whether you are meeting them; and facing your fears.
For Coronavirus updates and advice,and FAQs please see the University webpages here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/covid-19
The Chaplaincy blogs ‘For Times Like These’ https://www.ed.ac.uk/chaplaincy/for-times-like-these are written specifically for mental health and wellbeing support during lockdown, as are these mindfulness virtual drop-ins: https://www.ed.ac.uk/chaplaincy/mindfulness-and-wellbeing/mindfulness-virtual-drop-ins
For University support
The University Listening Service (for students and staff) is continuing throughout the lockdown, listening.service@ed.ac.uk
Student Counselling Service, https://www.ed.ac.uk/student-counselling
Staff Counselling Service, https://www.ed.ac.uk/counselling-services/staff
If any of the issues in this broadcast have affected you and you’d like support, here are some helplines.
If you feel that you or someone you are with is in danger right now, please call 999
A 24/ hour emergency mental health service, Mental health assessment service
us on 0131 537 6000.
· Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87
· The Samaritans 08457 90 90 90
· Edinburgh Crisis Centre 0808 801 0414
