COVID has impacted the mental health of many young people in UK.

According to GOV UK’s research and analysis of mental health amongst children and young people, there is evidence to suggest that the pandemic has negatively affected the mental health and wellbeing of many young people with existing mental health conditions. (Although it is not yet possible to make a full, meaningful comparison to recent pre-March 2020 measures.) (1)

One of our youth clients, Charlotte*, told us about the difficulties she’s faced. And how counselling has helped her through 2020.

“During Covid-19 my counselling sessions moved onto Zoom. When everything else stopped, this was the one thing that continued. That one hour per week felt safe and familiar whilst everything else was chaotic.

My mum worked on the front line during Covid. There were nights when I felt really scared about what might happen. She knew I was worried, but I felt I could share my feelings more openly with my counsellor. I felt like my mum already had enough worries on her plate. These sessions helped me to cope.

I knew I could tell my counsellor what I was feeling and it would not upset her. These sessions helped me understand things better.  I have learnt how to relax and about what things I can do to help me keep on top of everything. Since the counselling sessions I have been more able to cope with my school work, I have been able to talk more freely, I have stopped self-harming, had fewer panic attacks, and have started taking better care of myself. I am feeling much more optimistic about my future.”

If you would like to help us support more people like Charlotte, you can set up a regular donation over on our Donate Page. Thank you.

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And if you are interested in exploring the possibility of counselling for yourself, please find out more about the Counselling Services we offer here.

* Name changed to protect privacy.

1. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-mental-health-and-wellbeing-surveillance-report/7-children-and-young-people

Becky came to Wellspring earlier this year and here she shares about her counselling journey. 

(Client and counsellor name have been changed to maintain confidentiality.)

I have suffered from periods of mild depression and anxiety for over 20 years.  My issues seemed to be connected to an insecurity with relationships, so at the time I felt that making myself vulnerable with those I loved would threaten the very thing I was fearful of losing.

I had always felt desperate for someone to talk to that was not family or friends but counselling seemed an unaffordable option for me. I had heard about Wellspring, and whilst I am an occasional church-goer, I was wary that I didn’t want to experience religious bias in the sessions.

I was uncomfortable putting myself forward for counselling.

I didn’t want to take the place of someone who might be more deserving than myself and I felt I was probably better off than many people who find themselves in desperate situations. I expressed these doubts to a community leader who was asking me how my “head was”. He reassured me that the counselling sessions at Wellspring were not religiously biased, and that as humans, every single one of us deserves to have help of this kind. Also, that I could decide how much I wanted to pay for each session. I came away from that meeting feeling thrilled and empowered and contacted Wellspring immediately.

It was a couple of months before my first appointment came up, ironically, by then, I was going through a “good phase” and felt fine, and I was not feeling the need for any help! But being anxious not to let people down, I decided to go to the first appointment.

The entrance hallway was beautifully calm and warm, with sofas, magazines and soft background music. I immediately felt nurtured by my surroundings. Martha, my counsellor came to collect me and took me up to a small and comfortable sunny room. I explained to her that I didn’t need to be here, that I was absolutely fine. I talked about how I had been depressed and anxious on and off in the past, so maybe I could use this session to get tips on how to how to cope with negative feelings in the future. I also apologised for wasting her time and taking the place of someone needier. I assured her this would be my only session! Martha, in her kind and professional manner skilfully got me to open up.

By the end of the session I realised that this could be the start of a journey.

I realised that it was OK for me to be here, and to explore the reasons for my past unhappiness and anxiety. Martha was lovely, warm, friendly and always gave my feelings importance, however unworthy or trivial I judged them to be!

I was adamant from the start that I didn’t want to start blaming my parents for my unhappiness, as I had always considered myself to have had a good childhood. But over the next few weeks it became clear to me that despite this, there were some events that have had huge impacts on me as an adult. And these needed to be acknowledged.

A revelation for me was learning that the recurring mental anguish I suffer from today is nearly always a pain from the past.

I learned that I don’t need to fall for the first emotion I feel and let that define me, and that the shame and guilt I often suffer comes from the uncomfortableness of expressing my own needs and feelings. Most importantly I have learned that I have done nothing wrong, and that I should feel proud of the way I work and who I am. And hand on heart, I do believe that now.

Martha also helped me to realise I needed to develop a more positive view of myself and with that came some fun exploration. What is my style? Do I take time to celebrate my achievements? While this seemed a little self-indulgent to me, I have realised the importance it has when it comes to building a solid sense of self and a positive self-esteem.

I am pleased to say I have not been down or depressed since my last session, a few months ago. That’s not to say that I don’t think it will happen again, but I now feel I have the tools and knowledge to deal with whatever comes next. I am surer of myself when I speak to others, and most importantly I am proud of being who I am. I consider the sessions I had at Wellspring, a pivotal and enlightening part of my journey. And I would not now be afraid to seek help again, when I need it.

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If you would like to help us support more people like Becky, you can set up a regular donation over on our Donate Page. Thank you.

And if you are interested in exploring the possibility of counselling for yourself, please find out more about the Counselling Services we offer here or get in touch: 01423 881 881, office@wellspringtherapy.co.uk

Freya* came to Wellspring and received counselling both before and during lockdown.

Here Freya shares her story. (*names have been changed to maintain confidentiality)

“My husband had suddenly been diagnosed with a serious illness a couple of years ago. It was an ongoing condition and the process of finding the right treatment was stressful. It got to the point where I was feeling ‘full up’ with unprocessed events and emotions. I didn’t feel I was able to talk it through with friends, because it felt like it was all too much. I wanted to protect my husband, so I wanted to talk to someone who didn’t know him. I realised I needed a safe space.

I also knew that I wasn’t good at expressing my feelings. All these emotions were sitting there like a great weight, but not going anywhere. I lived with this sadness and anxiety, and any kind of responsibility overwhelmed me. Because it had been such a responsibility dealing with my husband’s illness, especially as the illness was so unpredictable, it left me feeling like I couldn’t deal with any more responsibility.

After my first counselling session at Wellspring, I came away with such a sense of relief and gratitude.

I had really needed to tell someone the details of the events of his illness, and my counsellor created such a safe place where I could tell my story. Throughout my sessions, she was a very kind and supportive person. She helped me to identify my feelings. I learnt to recognise when my emotions were building up inside me, and she helped me to carefully unpack incidents from my past that were affecting my present. My counsellor gave me the tools I needed to help with my life going forward.

I started my sessions in January, and we had some sessions in person. I found the centre was a very easy place to come to, especially when you’re new and you’re not sure what to expect. You could go in and just sit there quietly to wait for your session.

Then when lockdown happened, we ended up doing video calls instead.

The online side of things was fine. We had to get used to it at first, but it was all ok. It was good to be able to see my counsellor on the video call.

I finished my counselling sessions in May, which was quite a long time, but it was worth it. I feel I’m in a different place now. It’s lifted so much of the pressure and the anxiety. I also think I’m more able to deal with things when I do experience difficult emotions now. Right the way through my sessions, I didn’t have any sense of being able to look beyond where I was, but now I can finally look beyond. I am able to move forwards and think about the future. I’d highly recommend Wellspring and encourage anyone weighed down by life’s pressures to get in touch and see a counsellor. It’s a safe place.”

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If after hearing Freya’s story you are interested in exploring the possibility of counselling for yourself, please find out more about the Counselling Services we offer here or get in touch: 01423 881 881, office@wellspringtherapy.co.uk

And if you would like to help us support more people like Freya, you can set up a regular donation over on our Donate Page. Thank you.

Maggie* came to Wellspring for counselling and here she shares her story.

(*names have been changed to maintain confidentiality)

“My reasons for coming to Wellspring were two-fold – part of it was to learn to live with pain as I have a couple of long-term health issues. I was also struggling to cope with everything and had got so down that I was feeling suicidal at times. My excellent GP suggested referring myself to Wellspring. I can honestly say that my counselling was the best thing to happen to me.

Wellspring is such a welcoming place, the receptionist and all the staff are so good. The atmosphere was calming from the moment I walked through the door.

My counsellor and I hit it off well from the very beginning of the sessions, which I had over a period of 7 ½ months. I found that I had not grieved for 3 members of my family properly. As I cared for everyone else, my counselling gave me space to care for myself and to work through everything going on in my mind. I left Wellspring a far happier person.

Before I came to Wellspring I hadn’t realised that you only pay what you can afford. I thought this was amazing, because I could only afford a very small amount due to being on universal credit.

My circumstances and emotions are now a whole lot better. I’ve been told by a number of friends and family how well and happy I look. I’m no longer carrying such a heavy load and now I know how to handle issues better when they do come up. I have the help of friends and my local vicar when needed. And I know that if I need more support I can come back to Wellspring.

I want to share my story to show what an incredible job Wellspring does in supporting so many people. Even if you can’t afford to pay the full amount, counselling is still accessible for everyone. At Wellspring, they care about you as a whole person and not just a number.

Thank you Wellspring for all that you have done with me and for me.”

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If after hearing Maggie’s story you are interested in exploring the possibility of counselling for yourself, please find out more about the Counselling Services we offer here or get in touch: 01423 881 881, office@wellspringtherapy.co.uk

And if you would like to help us support more people like Maggie, you can set up a regular donation over on our Donate Page. Thank you.