This page explains difficult feelings and emotions you might be experiencing about the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. It also has tips on managing these feelings and where to get more support.
Many of us are experiencing lots of difficult emotions about the coronavirus pandemic. This may include feelings about getting sick, government restrictions, or struggling to see when the pandemic might end.
These are some of the common feelings that people have told us they are having during coronavirus. You may also experience many other emotions about the pandemic which aren't recognised here.
You may feel that there isn’t enough financial and welfare support for you, your family or community to live through the pandemic.
Perhaps this is because the pandemic makes it difficult for you to keep working, and there isn’t enough support to help you deal with this.
You might feel stigmatised or negatively judged by others. Or you may worry that others will avoid you.
For example, this may be because others may think your work makes you more likely to spread the virus. Or if you live in an area that has rising infection rates.
If you're worried about the spread of the coronavirus, you may feel relieved when stricter rules are introduced.
These restrictions may give you a sense of safety from getting sick, for yourself and for others in your life.
If you're experiencing these emotions, try to remind yourself of the following:
It might feel hard to start talking about how you are feeling. But many people find that sharing their experiences can help them feel better. It may be that just having someone listen to you and show they care can help in itself.
If you aren't able to open up to someone close to you, you can call Samaritans for a chat any time on 116 123.
Our coronavirus useful contacts page lists lots of organisations who can help with different needs during the coronavirus pandemic. This includes support for:
If you’ve lost someone and you’re experiencing grief, our pages on bereavement have ways to find help and support.
If you're struggling with your mental health, it's ok to ask for help. A good place to start is by speaking to your GP, or your mental health team if you have one.
The NHS and other services have adapted to the coronavirus pandemic. There are video and telephone appointments available, if you need to speak to someone. You can also ask your GP for a face-to-face appointment.
See our page on accessing treatment and support during coronavirus for more information on seeking help during the pandemic.
Peer support brings together people who've had similar experiences to support each other. Many people find it helps them to share ideas about how to stay well, connect with others and feel less alone.
Mind has a supportive online community called Side by Side, where you can share your experiences and hear from others. We welcome people from all backgrounds, whatever you're going through right now.
If you're going online more than usual or seeking peer support on the internet, it's important to look after your online wellbeing. See our pages about online mental health for more information.
You might find that it helps to express how you are feeling about changes to lockdown. This could be by writing, drawing, painting or any other creative way that feels helpful to you.
It might feel like the coronavirus pandemic has limited the things you can control in your life. But it can help if you try to focus on the things you can change.
It may help to list the things you can change on one piece of paper and all the things you can’t on another.
It may feel difficult to take care of your physical health when you’re feeling anxious or low. But taking small steps to look after your physical health can have a big effect on your mental health.
The NHS has more information on staying well in winter.
If you are struggling to find the latest guidance on the coronavirus pandemic, these links may help:
You can also find lots of advice for coping with difficult feelings, emotions and experiences by searching our A-Z of mental health. You may find these pages especially helpful:
“I reminded myself that there are things I can control and things that are beyond my control … this too shall pass.”
This information was last updated on 9 December 2021.
References and bibliography available on request.
If you want to reproduce this content, see our permissions and licensing page.