Depression and Corona
Recommendations for people suffering from depression during the Corona crisis
The fears and limitations associated with the corona virus pose great challenges for people suffering from depression. Because when depressed all the negative things in life are perceived as bigger than they are and it’s all you can think about, including the worries and fears about the corona virus. However, there are things you can do to counteract these feelings. Here are some suggestions:
- Structure: Structure your day and week ahead of time. From getting up in the morning, work or
study times, meals, to nice things like reading, watching TV, getting plants for your
balcony, yoga, relaxation exercises... - Stay active! Jogging or a bike riding work miracles. Try the free offer rrb macht Fitness or the Familien-Home-Rallye.
- Social Contacts: If you are working from home or you are in quarantine, arrange to make phone calls with friends and family. Chats or online forums also help against loneliness. You canfind expert videos and reviews from those affected on our interactive website Mitte der Nacht
- Sleep: You feel exhausted and tend to retreat to bed? However, this makes the feeling of exhaustion and depression worse. Therefore, we recommend not going to bed earlier or having a lie down during the day. A daily structure will help.
- Therapy:You can go to your psychotherapeutic counselling centre even during the nationwide contact ban. The visits there fall under the regulations on “visiting a doctor” and psychotherapy is a “necessary medical service”. If, for example, you cannot go toyour psychotherapist due to quarantine, many counselling centres now offer video counselling. Check with your therapist if this is possible.
- Reliable information: Facts reduce fears. Use reputable sources to get information (Robert Koch Institute, BzgA) and only watch the news as often as it is beneficial.
- Help: Talk to others about your worries and fears, e.g. with the telephone pastoral care service on 0800/111 0 111 or 0800/111 0 222. General practitioners, specialists and psychiatric clinics are still open. In times of crisis, don't hesitate to ask for help.
Further telephone/digital support services for mentally ill people
- Professionally moderated online forum for exchanging experiences www.diskussionsforum-depression.de
- Germany-wide depression information-line 0800 33 44 5 33 (free of charge)
- Telephone pastoral care 0800/111 0 111 or 0800/111 0 222 (free of charge)
- E-mail advice for young people: www.u25-deutschland.de or www.jugendnotmail.de
Source: https://www.deutsche-depressionshilfe.de/corona (October 26, 2020, 12:38 p.m.)
The counselling centre Kirchröder Turm is available for you. You can reach us even outside telephone office hours under our telephone number or by e-mail. We'll call you back as soon as possible.