We catch up with Sinead Raferty, Regional Manager, Pieta Munster & South Leinster to talk about what it’s been like working during the pandemic and how young people have been affected by Covid19.

Has there been a notable change in demand for services at Pieta during the pandemic? If so, in what way? How is covid impacting people's mental health?

For many during this global pandemic, fear and anxiety have been common emotions that most people have experienced and are a normal response during a period like this. When we feel under threat our fear response is there to protect us to a degree, but if it’s always present, it can really paralyse our thinking which can have a detrimental impact on how we feel.

It is a frightening time and for many people, it is the uncertainty of “not knowing” what’s going to happen that can be the most difficult thing to handle which can lead to us using a really common unhelpful thinking habit called “catastrophising”. This means that we go to the worst possible outcome in our heads and this can create an overwhelming feeling of panic. It is important to know that there are things you can do to manage your fears and anxiety and build your resilience at this time.

Sinead Raferty, Regional Manager for Pieta Munster and South Leinster.

“The pandemic has highlighted how dependent people are on the services provided by charities and the need for more sustainable government funding,” says Sinead Raferty, Regional Manager for Pieta Munster and South Leinster.

For many people who were already struggling with their mental health the pandemic has “turned up the volume” on feelings of isolation and hopelessness. People’s normal coping mechanisms and things that support them in their lives may not be as readily available or as easy for them to access. For example, gyms may be closed or people may feel more isolated because they may not be able to see loved ones face-to-face in the same way as before. Some people may not reach out for help as easily as before and may feel guilty or do not want to burden people at this difficult time. Quite often it is these little things that help all of us maintain resilience and support in challenging times. This pandemic has challenged us all to find new ways of connecting and supporting not only each other but looking after our own mental health.

For many families that have lost a loved one during this pandemic as a result of Covid or otherwise people have not been able to go through many of the rituals that we in Ireland are familiar with due to the restrictions that had to be put in place in the interest of public health. It is possible that this could interrupt or delay the grieving process for many, given that a lot of people were unable to see and be with their loved ones in hospital/care facilities but also not able to be with family and friends in the same way during and after the funeral.

Are young people getting enough support during this time? What do we know about how adversely young people are being affected by lockdown, social isolation and other stresses brought on by covid such as illness, bereavement, job losses and redundancies?

We know that significant brain development happens in children and adolescents and continues at pace up to the age of 30. This is the time when we are developing our social and emotional skills as well as our ability to think things through in a logical way. For younger children time at school and with friends is a fundamental part of a child and adolescent’s life where they not only have structure and routine but also peer support, contact and play for younger children. For many children and adolescents, they have turned to online ways of engaging with peers. While social media is helpful in keeping connected, balance is really important as meeting friends face-to-face supports their continually developing emotional and social skills while strengthening their overall resilience and ability to cope.

The period of early adulthood can be one of the most uncertain and challenging periods in a person’s life as they develop their identity. For young adults, there is evidence to suggest from research completed so far, that the pandemic has had a significant impact on their overall wellbeing. Having the routine and structure of college or a job as well as meeting friends play a huge role in a young adult’s life. The pandemic has interrupted this significantly and again has moved people to use social media more. While having this medium is helpful to keep connected it also comes with potential difficulties as excessive use can lead to poor sleep, low self-esteem & anxiety.

What's been the biggest change in how you work and fundraise?

Not meeting people face-to-face has been the biggest change across the whole organisation. Pieta’s proven 12-step suicide support therapy is all based around face-to-face therapy where we can read people’s expressions, body language and eye contact. Fundraising is all about people so not meeting Pieta’s supporters to say Thank You in person is a big change, not being able to welcome supporters to our centres and show them how they are making an impact is a change as is the rapid move to online fundraising and increased dependency on online methods for communications.

What's the biggest challenge for the charity sector at the moment?

Securing long-term funding and retaining staff are two huge challenges the sector faces. Pieta’s future was under threat due to the postponement and cancellation of Darkness into Light. Local communities rallied together to support us and we are so lucky to have come out the other side for now. Other charities have not been so lucky. The pandemic has highlighted how dependent people are on the services provided by charities and the need for more sustainable government funding. Ending suicide and the pain it causes families and communities should not depend on the kindness and generosity of the public, it should be part of our mental health system funded by the government.

“Don’t think about the big mountain you have to climb or the lack of uncertainty, just think about the next small step forward.”

— Sinead Raferty, Regional Manager, Pieta

As more people rely on digital communication to connect with others, how can we use digital media to support people in distress?

More people and services are using digital communication to connect with others and deliver services safely during this pandemic. Social support is hugely important in all our lives and could be seen as a potential protective factor so having a medium such as digital communication that provides this option in situations where physical face-to-face meeting is not possible supports psychological wellbeing during a lockdown. If you have a loved one in your life that is not familiar with how to engage in digital communication, it could be hugely beneficial to spend some time in helping them set this up and become familiar in how to connect with people & services in this way.

What can we do to look after our own mental health and that of our loved ones during this extraordinary time?

Don’t think about the big mountain you have to climb or the lack of uncertainty, just think about the next small step forward, what is the one thing you can do today that will help you or others, that could range from dropping a chocolate bar and card to the neighbour you are worried about, planning tomorrow’s homeschooling, heading out for a walk or working up a first draft of a work project that has been worrying you.

What is the main thing that you want people to know?

This is a hugely challenging time for most people in the world right now. Potentially we are all in survival mode and it is helpful if we take one day at a time. While this feels like a time of huge uncertainty focusing on the things that are in your control is really important for our wellbeing. It’s normal to have days where we may feel overwhelmed anxious and have a low mood. If this is what you are experiencing it is really important that you do reach out for support or if you notice a loved one is experiencing the same encourage them to reach out. We are here to support anybody experiencing suicidal ideation, thoughts of self-harm or have lost a loved one by suicide, please reach out for help. Pieta is here to support you. You are not alone.

Pieta’s fully trained therapists are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To seek help, you can call the Freephone number on 1800 247 247 or by texting the word HELP to 51444. All information on how Pieta can help you is available at Pieta.ie

Studies referenced in this conversation:

Dublin City University School of Psychology study in April 2020 with 207 participants aged 18-83.
The Journal of Adolescence. Woods, H & Scott, H. (2016). Sleepyteens: social media use in adolescence is associated with poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. Vol 51. pp. 41-49.

"The Pandemic Has Challenged Us All To Find New Ways Of Connecting" - Pieta