My name is Jared, I'm from Wellington, and I'm going to tell you about my Covid19 lockdown experience.
Last year, level four lockdown had a huge impact on me. It affected my job, my relationship, my whare, and my mental health. I felt like I had lost everything. I had to move to emergency accommodation, just for a short time, to give myself the chance to work on my mental health.
I ended up staying for 16 months because my mental health only got worse. I even considered suicide and attempted it a few times over that period, I'm lucky to still be alive. I had a good counsellor supporting me as well as a language specialist and a good psychologist supporting me as well.
Through this year's lockdown, I was lucky - I had a flat and had moved out of emergency accommodation. It felt like I had been let out of prison!
This year, level four lockdown was hard, but compared to last year, I could carry on and it was a lot easier to get through it.
When we got to level three, I could go back to work, I had a contract, and my life was steadily improving. My relationship had improved as well. Things were going well!
I feel happy reflecting on myself now compared to last year's lockdown - Wow! Life is beautiful.
I understand that, going through lockdown, we all have frustrations, and it can be a challenge, but remember there will be light at the end of the tunnel and things will improve in time.
So that's me. Thank you, bye!
