How have you been?

How have you been feeling during quarantine? This may seem like a simple question- “Oh it’s been great! I get to sleep in more?” But when we take a step back and look at all that has happened to us during these six months at home isolated from our friends, family and community, our answers start to get more personal.

Take my brother for example; he is going into the third grade and at first he loved staying home and not doing school work. But as the weeks went on, he began to feel more and more alone. There was only so much we could do- so many board games and card games we could play to fill that void. Gavin is not the only person who has felt this way.

Ella McDanel, a senior at GHS, agreed that it started off looking hopeful. It gave her some time to practice Yoga and meditation along with going outside more often. However, events such as “the election, coronavirus, climate change, racism still being so prevalent, etc…” make her feel down as she is not able to see her friends or hug them even. Knowing Ella well I know how much community means to her.

Being away from people for so long makes us feel alone, which is why we need to remind ourselves to reach out to people! Not a single person right now is alone even though we cannot see our friends or maybe even our families. Keeping communications with those important to us is crucial to us as individuals in attempts to stay connected. So, when you are starting to feel alone or isolated staring at a screen all day, send a message to someone. Maybe call them or even video chat with them! Remind yourself that you have people who want to talk with you! You are not alone.

(National Suicide Prevention hotline: 1-800-273-8255; MA Samaritans Statewide Helpline if you need emotional support: 1-877-870-4673; LGBTQ+ Hotline- The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386; Domestic Violence hotline- SafeLink: 1-877-785-2020)