HAVING had a severe mental breakdown some years ago, with the consequences of having lost my home, the ability to work and overcome by feelings of despair and loss of hope, I have learnt that mental health and wellbeing is paramount and that if one does not take care of their feelings and emotions they take care of you.

No words are sufficient to express the worry, anxiety, despair and helplessness that so many people must been feeling with this present lockdown because of Covid-19.

There can be the comparison of being at sea and going through a mighty storm and wondering if one is going to sink or ever see a brighter horizon.

The next weeks are going to be extremely hard with the acceleration of this deadly virus and most important I believe is that people take care of their mental health and wellbeing.

The ability to talk to someone else, be it a person in one’s ‘bubble’, family or friend, is paramount.

Above all do not to let those feelings boil over and become out of control.

The Spring bulbs such as daffodils and snowdrops are beginning to show and gardens can be a source of hope for mental health and wellbeing at this difficult time.

CHRIS COLLEDGE

Chairman of Bournemouth in Bloom

Durley Gardens, Bournemouth