PETS ARE GOOD FOR OUR MENTAL HEALTH

By Stewart Wilkinson

Many people who have pets find they’re really good for mental health. Not everyone has the stability or funds or support to be able to care for a pet, even if they’d like to. Some people find caring for animals adds to their stress levels, especially if the human/animal relationship doesn’t go well. What follows is an inspiring story of how Louie is helping Stewart with his mental health...

What do you think of when you think about lockdown? I think I speak for all of us when I say it’s been a struggle to adapt to a new way of living, to process the loss of the freedoms we’ve always taken for granted and as a gay man, the feeling of being forced backwards to a time we weren’t as visible. As a single man living alone, I’ve noticed feelings of isolation and loneliness creeping forward day by day living through this pandemic. I’m not ashamed to say that being disconnected from friends and loved ones and not being able to socialise in queer spaces has had an impact on my mental health. I’ve felt stagnant, anxious and sometimes desperate, uncertain of what the future holds. Those closest to me have become increasingly distant as they struggle with their own headspace processing this frightening new normal. with people online, but as time passed and weeks turned into months, I realised that I needed company, a distraction that would allow me to refocus and create a sense of purpose. It just so happens I found solace in the form of a new pet, a kitten called Louie. Even before collecting him I noticed a change in my behaviour. The preparation to make my home cat friendly, ordering the essentials, moving furniture around and catching up with chores, knowing that my focus would be on an energetic youngster for the coming weeks. I was flooded with self-doubt the day I collected him. Was I capable of keeping him alive? Would he want to be around me? Would he be happy in my home? The first few days I thought these fears were valid. He was frightened and understandably so. I was determined not to permit my negative inner critic to win and persisted in allowing him to get used to his environment. And get used to it he did, from cowering under the sofa for two days to racing around in a relatively short space of time. It’s been a joy to watch him develop and play, learn his quirks and develop a magical bond that’s allowed me to start to repair the damage done during lockdown. I never thought that caring for and nurturing an animal I’d also be fulfilling my own needs: for reciprocal love that’s unconditional; to be wanted; to play and explore. Louie has brought these things out in me. I’ve particularly enjoyed rediscovering laugher while Louie remains oblivious as to how removing every leaf from my indoor palm tree when my back’s turned, the welcome home dance, or discovering him in a newly discovered ridiculous hiding place positively affects my mood. I sleep better knowing he’s there, my energy levels have increased and I’m more motivated in self-improvement. After all, who would look after him if I wasn’t here?

We need to celebrate our pets and how good they can be for our wellbeing. To all of you struggling, sometimes it takes some courage and risk to discover something that can help us to refocus and bring clarity. For me this was Louie. Pets and how they help us to manage our mental health features often as a topic of discussion during Work It Out, a weekly peer support group hosted by MindOut that I have attended online during lockdown. Between the service users who attend, we have pets that we all champion and agree aid us in a variety of ways. Our animal companions give us purpose and motivate us to explore and interact with the world in ways we may not do without them. Walking our dogs takes us out into nature and gives opportunities for human interaction with others in our communities, a chance for connection that is more important now than ever. We enjoy watching our pets grow, reaching milestones and achieving training goals that are incredibly rewarding. It’s obvious to me from our conversations how influential our furry friends have been to us over lockdown.

MINDOUT INFO

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, MindOut is now offering a new telephone befriending service, please get in touch if you would like to know more.

MindOut offers a range of peer support groups and workshops as well as low-cost counselling. We have advocacy workers who can assist with getting support from mainstream services and health care.

Our online support service is open daily for everyone and we also have weekly sessions for: • black, indigenous people of colour • COVID anxieties and coming out of lockdown • trans people • people aged under 30 All MindOut services are run by and for LGBTQ people with experience of mental health issues, our services are confidential, non-judgemental, affirmative and empowering. D For more info, please see our website:

www.mindout.org.uk

or call us on

01273 234839

or email

info@mindout.org.uk