Mental wellbeing is something people are now more able to talk about and, thankfully, feel they can ask for help without being seen as weak or “broken”.

But there is still a long way to go until the stigma of mental health is fully lifted and before proper help is readily available.

Before the virus reached British shores, we saw how the crisis unfolded in China and then across Europe. We knew fear and panic would set in. How will we manage? Do we have enough food? When can I get to the supermarket? Will there be anything left?

People worried about family members, especially the elderly or those with existing medical conditions. Would they contract this deadly disease? Would they survive it? If they don’t get it, how will they cope with months of isolation?

For us, it was four busy and active people being confined to a box for the foreseeable future. Plans and everyday life go out the window and we are faced with months of uncertainty.

The best way to cope with this sudden and drastic change was to break things down and deal with them one by one. Take things a day, a morning, or an hour at a time.

We all need routines to get by, but it doesn’t matter if you do a few hours of work in your pyjamas, or if the children spend an hour on the trampoline before settling down to schoolwork. What matters is that you are safe and can do what you need to.

Financial concerns

As the number of cases and deaths began to rise, the shutdown of businesses created very real financial problems for owners and staff.

The government unveiled various measures offering financial support, but there were immediate, practical issues to worry about, such as “how can I pay for this week’s food?” and “I can’t pay my electricity bill”.

If you follow the precautions, manage to avoid the virus and the financial situation is manageable for the time being, it is still easy for your mental health to suffer.

Working from home for prolonged periods is difficult at the best of times, but even more now when your family need you. For those still in work, there are worries about how productive they are, how they are seen by colleagues and bosses and, how long they can sustain it for.

And being quarantined amplifies worries and anxieties, especially as we face a long and uncertain road ahead.

People wake up each morning anxious about the day ahead. Do they feel unwell? Have they caught the virus? What will happen to them? How will their family cope?

What has been encouraging and is making a big difference is people looking out for one another – family, friends, colleagues and neighbours calling, messaging and emailing to see how people are – it can be the highlight of the day.

Last week’s applause for NHS workers was the first time I had seen many of our neighbours in more than a week. It was reassuring, it was encouraging, it was . . . almost normal.

The comfort I take from all of this is we are all in it together.

It requires a deep breath and a leap of faith, but huge efforts and vast sums are being put into financial packages to help people through this.

“All” we have to do is stay home. 

It’s not as easy as it sounds, but make sure you and your family are safe and have everything you need and make the most of your time together. You’ll all be happier and less stressed.

We spend most of our lives wishing we had time to do things. Now we do, enjoy it as best we can.

Look after yourselves and stay safe.