MENTAL HEALTH RELATIONSHIP ISSUES BROUGHT ON BY COVID-19:

The Mental Health professionals are telling us that Covid-19 has put a lot of stress on relationships in every form.

Bereavement, isolation, loss of income and fear are triggering mental health conditions or exacerbating existing ones. Many people may be facing increased levels of alcohol and drug use, insomnia, and anxiety.  Marriages that have been healthy in the past, and probably will be in the future, are now becoming a little shaky, with the extra problems and decision making brought about by the pandemic.

The stresses of having children away from school – but not from school responsibilities – and the financial tension caused by households suddenly losing some of their income can push couples over the brink. Added to all that is the fear of members of the family falling ill, disagreements about what constitutes social isolation and uncertainty about how long this strange new routine will last. 

Children are likely to be experiencing worry, anxiety and fear, and this can include the types of fears that are very similar to those experienced by adults, such as a fear of dying, a fear of their relatives dying, or a fear of what it means to receive medical treatment.
FOR THOSE WHO WANT FACE-TO-FACE COUNSELLING:

Relationship counselling, also known as couples counselling and marriage counselling, can help to deal with relationship difficulties or prevent them from arising in the first place. The counselling can help you and your partner to better understand yourselves and each other, what causes conflict between you and how to change. Depending on the counsellor, they may have trained in a range of techniques and may specialise in specific types of issues.

There are several such counsellors in the Wellington region, but they are unlikely to be free.   Tertiary students may be able to access free counselling.

There are counselling services for children that are face to face, via online chat and by telephone. Free specialist helplines for children and young people include: 0800 What’s Up – a free counselling service provided by Barnardos NZ and TickforKids, available via       telephone or online chat; Kidsline, a free telephone counselling service provided by Lifeline Aotearoa.

For more information about relationship counselling contact us, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Phone 06 377 0078 or 0800 367 222 (our national line).  You can also email us at wairarapa@cab.org.nz or visit our office at 43 Perry Street, Masterton.

Our advice is free and confidential.