Are you experiencing lockdown-induced stress?
As we’ve observed a troubling rise in domestic stress and violence due to prolonged COVID-19 lockdowns, we’ve provided a handful of tips to mitigate these emotional and psychological strains.
First-time High
Victorian research shows a 42% rise in first-time family violence during lockdowns, driven by factors like financial stress and alcohol consumption.
Mitigating Stress
To mitigate domestic stress, practice compassion, empathy, and effective communication, and consider consulting your doctor for a mental health care plan.
Verbal and non-Verbal
Addressing domestic violence requires understanding verbal and nonverbal communication, sharing power, and seeking professional support for mental health during the lockdown.
Dear Readers,
We at Gabito Lawyers have noticed an increase in domestic stress incidents with several months of COVID lock-down, and this has caused in extreme cases situations where which have required police intervention.
It has been identified that domestic violence and related crimes at home such as child maltreatment are amongst the under-reported trends globally. It was confirmed however from Victorian research that domestic violence has spiked during the COVID-19 lockdowns brought about by psychological stress and anxiety.
Practitioners who took part in the survey responded that first-time family violence have gone up to 42% with gender inequality, fear, financial stress, and alcohol consumption as the contributory factors. To further avoid similar instances, we highly recommend considering the following principles when communicating to further prevent harm:
- Contemplate on compassion and collaboration.
- Understand how verbal and nonverbal language affects connection.
- Empathy towards yourself and to others.
- Sharing “power with others” instead of “power over others”.
Compassion, collaboration, mindfulness, empathy, and encouraging shared power dynamics will go a long way in these difficult times.
If you’re experiencing stress, we recommend consulting your doctor, seeking a mental health care plan, and exploring non-violent communication methods.
To stay safe and well in these difficult times we suggest if you are suffering from stress at home that you speak to your doctor, request a mental health care plan and also that you consider non-violent communication.
