Martha Pollard, a PhD student in Alzheimer and Dementia Research at the
University of Edinburgh tells us about the challenges of lockdown for those
living with dementia and for their carers, especially now that they are unable
to get the company and respite of meeting in groups, or of receiving specialist
care in their homes. Martha also talks about the interruption that lockdown
brings to her doctoral research, now that she cannot access dementia wards. We
don’t hear much about research being interrupted by lockdown, but this is the
case for many people doing field research, lab work, or reliant on library
collections. Nonetheless, Martha is finding that the confinement is leading to
discoveries of new ways of working, and so brings with it a new kind of
freedom.
For Coronavirus updates and advice,and FAQs please see the University
webpages here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/covid-19
The Chaplaincy blogs ‘For Times Like These’ https://www.ed.ac.uk/chaplaincy/for-times-like-these are written
specifically for mental health and wellbeing support during lockdown, as are
these mindfulness virtual
drop-ins: https://www.ed.ac.uk/chaplaincy/mindfulness-and-wellbeing/mindfulness-virtual-drop-ins
For University support
The University Listening Service (for students and staff) is continuing
throughout the lockdown,
[email protected]
Student Counselling Service, https://www.ed.ac.uk/student-counselling
Staff Counselling Service, https://www.ed.ac.uk/counselling-services/staff
If any of the issues in this broadcast have affected you and you’d like
support, here are some helplines.
If you feel that you or someone you are with is in danger right now,
please call 999
A 24 hour emergency mental health service, Mental health assessment
service on 0131
537 6000.
· Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87
· The Samaritans 08457 90 90 90
· Edinburgh Crisis Centre 0808 801 0414