Coronavirus crisis accelerates calls for women's mental health Serenity support group to set up in Ross-shire
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A DINGWALL woman is hoping to set up a women's mental health support group amid concerns that suicide rates could increase due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Margaret McLean is a facilitator with the Inverness-based peer support group Serenity which is warning of a potential mental health pandemic.
Members have recently re-started weekly drop-in sessions in the Highland capital but Ms McLean is keen to set up a similar group in Dingwall.
"It would be an informal set-up in a safe place where people can drop in and vent their thoughts, or sit quietly and have some company," she said.
Ms McLean said more people were now on universal credit because of the pandemic and were struggling financially.
"There have been a lot of people trapped at home trying to look after kids and work from home, or are worried because they no longer have a job," she said.
"I think we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg."
"I think there is more to come."
She also felt that while some people had felt a sense of isolation during lockdown, the easing of restrictions also created anxieties for others who worried about the irresponsible and selfish behaviour of others.
"I am certainly more anxious now than during the serious lockdown" she said.
"We have noticed it with other Serenity members.
"They are more anxious and are less willing to come out than when they were shielding."
"There have been a lot of people trapped at home trying to look after kids and work from home, or are worried because they no longer have a job. I think we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg.I think there is more to come."
Ms McLean, who lives with her daughter in Harpers Court, was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder in her mid 40s and has also been diagnosed with a major depressive disorder.
"I really fell apart spectacularly about five years ago," she said.
"I had always managed to keep going before."
She subsequently became involved with Serenity when it was set up in 2016.
"It started around the time I had become ill and lost my job as a result," she said.
"It has helped me enormously."
The Inverness group has re-started its Saturday drop-in sessions at the Pentecostal Church Hall in Beaton Lane.
But Ms McLean felt there was a need for a similar group in Dingwall particularly with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Viv Mackie, a founder of Serenity, also says the pandemic is having a massive detrimental affect on people's mental health.
"We are extremely concerned about a mental health pandemic and a possible increase on suicide rates due to people losing their jobs, financial issues, mental health deterioration and loneliness," she said.
"We are extremely concerned that the suicide rates will rise as this happened in the recession in 2008."
"With the furlough scheme set to end in October and additional financial pressures in the run-up to Christmas, she feared it could be the final straw for some.
"We want to get the message out there that, it's okay not to be okay," she said.
"Reach out to your supportive network and talk about your feelings and thoughts.
"Talking can change and save lives."
The peer support group has been given £2000 by the Corra Foundation – which awards grants to help improve the lives of disadvantaged individuals and communities in Scotland and developing countries – to set up a website to help people access support.
People can contact Serenity via the social media platforms Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or email Serenitydropin@gmail.com.
