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Blog Post | 31 July, 2020
Self-isolation had many of us feeling anxious. The walls seemed to close in a little more each day as memories of an active social life became more distant. But when some of Queensland’s venues reopened, not everyone jumped at the chance to get out and about.
After months of social distancing, it’s not unusual to feel anxious at the thought of kick-starting your social life.
Social anxiety or social phobia is a common issue in Australia, with... Read more
Blog Post | 09 April, 2020
Cancelled holidays. Delayed weddings. Limited funeral gatherings.
These are all big events and with their postponement or cancellation come big feelings. But these ‘big things’ aren’t the only changes to life as we know it right now.
Maybe your child’s sports league, which you loved attending, was cancelled for the season.
Or maybe you were really looking forward to getting together with your friends and family for a baby shower.
Or maybe you just miss the comfort of your normal routine – going to the shopping centre, packing the kids off to school, and playing at the playground.
In the... Read more
Blog Post | 15 May, 2020
A lot has changed over the past few months. The coronavirus outbreak has impacted how we work, play, learn, and interact with one another.
Social distancing measures have forced some companies to close their doors, while others have had the chance to adjust their service delivery.
The coronavirus presented Relationships Australia QLD (RAQ) with the opportunity to fast-track the advancement of our online capabilities and continue to provide clients with the support they need.
Relationship Counsellor Shirley Hussie has been offering counselling sessions for individuals and couples over... Read more
Blog Post | 08 January, 2021
The safety and wellbeing of our clients and staff is our utmost priority, and our management team continues to closely monitor all information and public health advice regarding the Novel Coronavirus. We have established processes in place that allow us to respond rapidly to emerging information and advice, with your safety in mind.
In venues that continue to deliver face-to-face services, we are complying with both the Federal and State public health principles and guidelines to establish and maintain measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
This includes regular cleaning of our venues... Read more
Blog Post | 30 March, 2021
For many, self-isolation is an inconvenience. But for survivors of domestic abuse, it’s a nightmare.
Domestic and family violence rates have risen around the world since the coronavirus lockdown.
Social distancing restrictions have left many survivors of domestic abuse stuck inside with their abuser – all day, every day. Survivors may be isolated from their support networks, and they may be finding it difficult to access support while in such close quarters with their abuser.
Stressful events like the coronavirus pandemic can exacerbate existing family violence. Perpetrators may use the... Read more
Blog Post | 07 April, 2020
The coronavirus is worrisome for everyone, but it’s especially dangerous for older adults.
People aged 65 years and older with existing chronic medical conditions, and people aged 70 years and older, are considered to be at higher risk of serious illness if they’re infected.
As coronavirus has been shown to disproportionally impact older adults, families are facing difficult decisions about whether their children should... Read more
Blog Post | 16 February, 2022
The pandemic has made many of us re-evaluate our relationships.
It’s taken more effort than ever to stay in touch with the people we care about. We’ve had to be more deliberate with texts, calls, FaceTimes, and one-friend-at-a-time daily walks.
This has brought some friendships closer and caused others to drift apart.
Lockdowns and logistics aren’t the only factors that changed our friendships during COVID. Opposing views around mask mandates and vaccinations may also have caused rifts between friends.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it’s normal for friends to come and go throughout... Read more
Blog Post | 05 October, 2021
It’s coming up to two years since COVID-19 changed the world as we know it.
As the post-COVID world we’re living in starts to feel like the new normal, it can be easy to ignore the impacts it’s still having on our mental health.
A lot of us are feeling anxious about the uncertainty of the future, while others might simply be feeling ‘meh’ and struggling to find motivation.
It’s important to keep checking in with ourselves and prioritising our mental health during COVID. Because no matter how long we’ve had to adjust to these strange times, there may still be ongoing impacts to our emotional... Read more
Blog Post | 31 August, 2021
Discrimination happens all around us, both online and in real life. It makes people feel unsafe, unwelcome, and like they have to hide who they are.
Whether you’re a part of a group that typically experiences discrimination or not, it’s important that we do all we can to let those on the receiving end know they are welcome and safe.
Speaking out against discrimination (when safe to do so) can be an important way to show support.
We offer some advice to address discrimination when you witness or experience it in your life.
What is discrimination?
Discrimination is the unfair treatment of... Read more
Blog Post | 26 November, 2021
Written by Shirley Hussie – Relationship and Family Counsellor
The flow-on effects of COVID are still impacting us in one way or another.
Lockdowns and social distancing forced couples and families to spend more time together, putting extra pressure on relationships. For some couples, COVID has been a catalyst for breakdown in the relationship, leading to high levels of conflict and separation.
Some of us are experiencing the financial stress from loss of income, or the stress of working from home and having to home-school children.
Some young people are struggling to feel excited about... Read more