Mid-way into the first month of the new year and many of us in the UK, and beyond, are wondering if 2020 is truly over.

Festivals, rites, traditions have been curtailed and subdued. No need for New Year's resolutions - climate change, Brexit, Black Lives Matter, the pandemic and its recurring lockdowns, division, isolation and loss have presented such overwhelming challenges that we question whether we have the capacity for more.

We have been challenged in ways we have not known previously. We have lost in ways we have not known previously. Let's not understate things - 2020 was a tough, sad, heart-wrenching year. So what can we do to take care of ourselves in the face of the uncertainty of 2021?

Pay attention: listen to your body and mind.

Maintain healthy habits and mutually supportive connections. If necessary and where possible, begin new ones.

Take a break from social media if it feels overwhelming.

Studying? What support is available during this time?

Parenting and home-schooling? Who can help? What can you put in place?

If you are concerned about your emotional/mental health, seek counselling support. Remember, online and telephone counselling is available during throughout lockdown.

For more information, take a look at he following links and take care.

Self-care

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/blog/new-year-theme-for-yourself-2021

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/blog/why-we-need-reboot-our-thinking-mental-health-2021

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/well/live/why-self-care-isnt-selfish.html

Covid 19 guidelines

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52530518

Home-working

https://www.mind.org.uk/workplace/coronavirus-and-work/

Home-schooling

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education-and-careers/2021/01/04/homeschooling-20-navigate-minefield-home-learning-second-time/

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/educationandchildcare/articles/coronavirusandhomeschoolingingreatbritain/apriltojune2020

Students

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/applying-for-university/university-life/how-universities-are-changing-in-the-wake-of-covid-19

https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/extra-help

https://www.studentminds.org.uk/coronavirus.html

Counselling

https://www.marypascallcounselling.com/

https://www.facebook.com/counsellingneeds

https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/how-to-find-a-therapist/?gclid=CjwKCAiAl4WABhAJEiwATUnEF5h_k4YE6nL_c7KDcVKrOzcOGG6ctADp6Iz9T4_hoIXxY92OtJPpBBoCYwUQAvD_BwE

https://www.baatn.org.uk/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/counselling

https://www.blackmindsmatteruk.com/

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/mental-health-problems-introduction/self-care/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/free-therapy-or-counselling/