1. Three (almost) weeks ago, I contacted my primary healthcare provider and told them I was in crisis. I immediately got the help I needed, and as a result felt almost immediate relief. (Although getting OFF the meds is less fun). These are tough days for all of us.

2. We are all taking in so much information that it’s normal to feel stressed and anxious about the days that lay ahead. But please remember that you cannot help others to shore while you’re drowning.

3. If you’re feeling overwhelmed; if your day is spent consumed by “what if” and concerns for your families, your communities, yourselves; if you can’t sleep, if you can’t eat, if you can’t get even basic things done, reach out.

4. It is okay to not be okay right now. It doesn’t matter what you’ve survived in the past, it doesn’t matter whether you’re usually “good in stressful situations”; it’s okay to need help. This isn’t normal, but it is reality, and we’re only going to get through it together.

5. And by ‘together’ I mean 6ft/2m apart at all times.

But seriously. The (relevant regional) phone numbers are out there. Your doctor is out there. Your friend or dad or sister is out there. Make the call. Stop yourself from drowning so you can help others to shore.

6. Finally, the thing that helped me the most was stopping the bleeding, so to speak. I got off Twitter and social media. I checked in with select friends and set clear boundaries about my ability to talk about the pandemic. I limited my news intake.