Maintaining the mental health of yourself and others around you during lockdown is paramount according to a Bay of Plenty doctor.
This comes as New Zealand enters its sixth day of lockdown following the discovery of a community Covid-19 case in Auckland on Tuesday last week.
All parts of the country were originally due to be in level 4 lockdown for three days, except Auckland and Coromandel which would be for seven days.
However, on Friday afternoon, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed the lockdown would be extended as the number of community cases continued to increase.
Dr Luke Bradford, from 5th Avenue Family Practice in Tauranga, says lockdowns can be challenging for a number of reasons.
"There is the acute anxiety that comes when we get put into this heightened state. Our bodies and our minds feel stressed. We have uncertainty and we have fear," he said.
"Then we have the people who just struggle with isolation. There's those who are living out there on their own or in difficult circumstances or relationships.
"We saw a huge rebound in mental health issues post-lockdown last time, it affected a lot of people last time — we were in a heightened state for a very long time."
Bradford said it was important people were doing daily exercise to help ease the stress people were suffering.
Talking with other people within support networks regularly to help others not feel isolated was "vital", Bradford said.
"Delta is causing some real fears among people," he said.
"I think there's also a realisation among people this is not going away. At some point, we have to learn how to live with this virus.
"People are at different stages of acceptance with that and depending on where you are with that causes distress as well."
The number of Kiwis searching for mental health services online skyrocketed during the first few days of lockdown, according to online mental health charity Just a Thought.
Daily registrations doubled in the first two days of lockdown for Just a Thought's online courses aimed at helping people experiencing anxiety and low mood.
This mirrored new research that showed a whopping 630 per cent increase in people accessing its courses, and a 185 per cent increase in people signing up for help with anxiety and depression, during New Zealand's first extended lockdown last year - in a study published by Just a Thought and the Australian tool This Way UP.
"When we're faced with any situation that carries a sense of uncertainty and risk, we feel anxious and begin to experience the different symptoms of the fight-or-flight response," clinical lead Anna Elders said.
"Anxiety can be a good thing if it helps to motivate us to reduce the danger we're facing. But the fight-or-flight response also creates heightened distress and anxiety.
"Then there are the real challenges like having the kids home all the time or losing income. Or, if you live alone, it's very normal to experience lower moods when you're having less contact with others."
Chief victims adviser to the Government Dr Kim McGregor said victims of family violence and sexual violence should know police and social services would be there to help.
"My message for all New Zealanders: You are not alone. It's not okay for anyone to hurt you. Violence is still a crime," McGregor said.
"Even though we are currently in self-isolation, we still want to hear from you if you or someone in your bubble is being hurt."
Anyone in immediate danger should contact 111.
University of Otago school of medicine consultant psychiatrist Chris Gale said the psychological consequences of lockdowns would bite.
"We know from last year that students have been more anxious as their social networks have decreased in Switzerland, Italy, the UK and in New Zealand," he said.
"What can make a difference is having social support and connectivity. Most of the time we do that by being with our family and meeting with our friends.
"For a short time at level 4, we can use telephone, video calls and social media as we have done before."
Registered clinical psychologist Jacqui Maguire said it was important to remember Kiwis had been through a lockdown before.
"Not only did we survive that experience, we learnt many lessons from it," she said.
Maguire's tips for lockdown:
• Trust in the experts. They proved in 2020 they can navigate us through a storm.
• Follow the rules. That's going to help us exit level 4 as soon as possible.
• Stay connected. We know how important relationships and connection are for wellbeing and mental health. Call, check in, wave when you walk past someone and smile.
• Get off social media and stick to the 1pm briefings. Information bombardment causes a whole lot of issues in itself.
• Ask yourself what was most helpful during the last lockdown. Are you someone that needs that quiet cup of tea away from the family, or is a walk a non-negotiable for you? Plan as an individual, and as a bubble, about how you are going to spend your lockdown days.
• Take care, look after yourself and each other. And if you are struggling reach out, whether that be to someone in your bubble, a loved one over the phone or a trained professional at the end of a helping.
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 (available 24/7)
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (12pm to 11pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)
• Anxiety helpline: 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY) (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
If you're in danger now:
• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours or friends to ring for you.
• Run outside and head for where there are other people. Scream for help so your neighbours can hear you.
• Take the children with you. Don't stop to get anything else.
• If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay.
Where to go for help or more information:
• Women's Refuge: Crisis line - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 (available 24/7)
• Shine: Helpline - 0508 744 633 (available 24/7)
• It's Not Ok: Family violence information line - 0800 456 450
• Shakti: Specialist services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and children. Crisis line - 0800 742 584 (available 24/7)
• Ministry of Justice: For information on family violence
• Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Patunga: National Network of Family Violence Services
• White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women
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