Online support and entertainment initiatives have been launched to help people’s mental health during the lockdown.
In Dundee, former clinical psychologist Kari Deaf has set up live meditation sessions on Facebook.
The first 20-minute session was live-streamed on her coronavirus support Facebook page Dundee Coronavirus Help on Monday evening.
Kari, 41, said: “The lockdown can be difficult, because people can become quite fixated on what’s going on and this could make them very anxious.
“I set up the Facebook page not only for information but for light relief and for support.
“I’ve got a background as a clinical psychologist and I have done group classes before, so I decided to do online meditation sessions to help take people’s minds off things.
“The important thing is to focus on today rather than worry about what will happen in the future, and meditation is very much about focusing on the present moment.
“It’s a bit out of my comfort zone as I’d never done online sessions before, but I had lots of positive feedback and if there is enough demand I will do more sessions.”
Meanwhile Luminate, an organisation that runs creative projects for elderly people launched a programme of short online films demonstrating activities to be done at home or in a care home.
The activities, in partnership with Scottish Care, are being presented by professional artists and feature different arts forms including crafts, poetry, music and dance.
Films will be posted every Tuesday and Friday at 2pm on the Luminate website and Facebook page.
A spokesman said: “We understand that this is a worrying and difficult time for everyone, especially if older individuals are having to spend the next few weeks isolated at home or in a care home, and we hope that you will find the activities enjoyable and engaging to do over the next few weeks.”
And in Mill O’Mains, a group of volunteers, who are being organised through the Mill O’Mains Community Pavilion Facebook page, are making activity packs such as word searches and colouring-in packs for families and the elderly in the area.
They are also handing out red and green cards to vulnerable people, single parents and single people – if they need help a red card in the window alerts neighbours and a green card means they need something brought in from the shops.
