While headlines have focussed on shops reopening and children returning to classrooms 鈥� there are still 2.2 million people in the UK who are shielding.

At the start of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK, people who were classed as clinically extremely vulnerable due to underlying health conditions were urged to shield at home away from other people.

Three months on, a poll by the Office for National Statistics has now found that said their mental health had got worse during the coronavirus pandemic.

The proportion was even higher for people aged under 60 who are shielding 鈥� nearly half of them reported worsening mental health.

has been recently updated. But for many people who are shielding, there鈥檚 still a lot of uncertainty about when they will be able to enjoy the day to day activities that the rest of the population are slowly being able to access again.

Our member Kathryn Kinmond says shielding has struck at the heart of people鈥檚 identities.

鈥淧eople who are shielding have all been lumped together under one term. The reasons people are shielding can be very diverse, the conditions they have can be varied. For some people the underlying health conditions might not have been a major part of their life or identity. But now they have been identified as part of this shielding group. There are family members too, who are shielding as well to help their loved ones.鈥�

Kathryn adds: 鈥淚t has created an 鈥榦ther鈥�, a label for people, and separated this group from the rest of society.鈥�

She鈥檚 described how she works with clients who are experiencing these things 鈥� and what may help the mental health and wellbeing of people who are shielding.

Rediscover your own identity

Kathryn says that her work as a therapist helps people rediscover their own identity. This is really important for people who are shielding.

鈥淲e have to work to reframe their identity,鈥� she says. 鈥淭his is thinking about who they are, what鈥檚 going on, and that they鈥檙e not just a cancer diagnosis, or a person with COPD. They are much more than that, they have their own identity.鈥�

Take back control

Feeling of uncertainty and lack of control have been very prevalent during the coronavirus pandemic and affect people鈥檚 mental health, especially so for many people who are shielding, says Kathryn.

Talking about her work with clients, she says: 鈥淲e work together so they can perceive taking control back. It鈥檚 often like getting them to visually steer a ship through the storm. We look at what they can control.鈥�

Kathryn says she helps people focus on what they can control during the day 鈥� for instance, what time they get up in the morning.

These small steps all help to take control.

Find things that give you joy in your life

Kathryn says she works with people to help them find things that give them joy in their life.

鈥淭alking to people can help them see what there is to take joy in. Sometimes these are even tiny things 鈥� but they can have a big impact.

鈥淕rowing flowers is a good example. Tending to the flowers, seeing them grow, even if they鈥檙e a few seeds in a window box. It鈥檚 something people can control and enjoy.

鈥淧ainting, going for a walk, these things can help. Doing something creative is often good.鈥�

Live in the moment

Kathryn recommends focussing on the present and not thinking about long-term planning.

鈥淟ive in the moment, think of tiny achievable goals. Again, these can be very small things that give you enjoyment and you can control.鈥�

She says that grounding techniques can help you to focus on the present moment and filter out thoughts and worries that are causing you problems.

These include breathing exercises.

鈥淚 describe it as breathing in strength, breathing out the rubbish,鈥� she says.

Talk to a qualified professional

聽鈥淚 think all of this highlights the importance of talking to a qualified, well-trained professional counsellor,鈥� says Kathryn. 鈥淏eing client-led means a counsellor will help you find out what works for you as an individual, they鈥檒l not just be following models and reciting them.

鈥淭hey will realise what you need and help you realise that and find your own identity again and take back control.鈥�

Find a counsellor or psychotherapist who can help you using our Therapist Directory