What does it mean to be “Never Alone”

As the pandemic of Covid-19 Virus increasingly effects our usual way of life, many of us are faced with a significant disruption to our daily lives in a way we have never experienced before.

Here in Victoria, with a State of Emergency declared, all travelers will be required to self-quarantine for 14-days or otherwise face the risk of hefty fines. For many this level of isolation, will bring a whole host of other issues. This past weekend also saw the cancellation of any mass gatherings for 500 or more people. This saw the cancellation of the Melbourne GrandPrix, and many other events, including our own March with Me. The flow on effect of these event cancellations puts the financial livelihood of so many at significant risk.

For many of our fellow community members, they will find themselves ‘alone’ whether it be through illness, lack of work, or caring for loved ones and children unable to attend work or school. Here at Love Me Love You, we continually promote the mantra that “No one travels their journey alone” and we regularly communicate to the community that they are “Never Alone”.

Being “Never Alone” is not necessarily related to a physical or voice presence at the exact time we want it, but rather being aware of those in our lives that are there for us. It is the family, friends, healthcare workers, work colleagues, teachers & educators, coaches and others in our lives that all play an integral part in supporting us in this journey of life.

As people find themselves PHYSICALLY ALONE, or isolated from their wider community, we must ask ourselves what we can do to help. What can we do to ensure they are NEVER ALONE?

For many in our community the risk of Mental Illness is amplified in this time, particularly if they are required to quarantine. Psychiatry professor Rima Styra and her University of Toronto colleague Laura Hawryluck, a professor of critical care medicine, researched quarantines during the SARS outbreak and found that 29% of those quarantined showed signs of PTSD, and 31% had symptoms of depression following isolation.

So, what can we do to help each other? It is about being there for the ones we love. Whether it’s a text message or a phone call to let them know you care, a meal for a family struggling financially, a drop off of groceries for a family in quarantine, or even a pack of toilet paper, the main thing is we need to be there for each other.

If you yourself are struggling, please check out the resources available in our Toolkit, or you can reach out to us through our Support Pathway

Asking for help will NEVER be cancelled.