It's totally normal to feel a bit shaken and on-edge right now. There are a number of free apps and online self-help tools to help you manage your mental wellbeing. Looking after yourself now means you are more likely to stay well down the track.

It's a good time for us all to look back and remember the things that got us through last time:

1. Staying connected (distance, not distant).

2. Limiting your time online.

3. Having a plan! Sticking to a schedule or routine.

4. Moving your body daily.

5. Exploring your local neighbourhood (at an appropriate distance).

6. Going easy on yourself.

7. Noticing and appreciating small moments of joy.

We need to be kind to each other. This virus is the problem not the people. People are the solution and we need to work together to stamp it out again.

If Alert Level restrictions continue, the habits of supporting one another and taking each day as it comes is the best approach to manage anxiety and stay calm.

We all need a bit of support from time to time. If you or someone you know is struggling right now, there is free help and support services available. Check out the Ministry of Health website for some tools to look after your mental wellbeing and ways to reach out for help if you need it: www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-mental-health-and-wellbeing-resources

Mental health and wellbeing support for Māori

Funding has been provided to boost phone support by local iwi call centres for their kaumātua and kuia to ensure they feel supported and know where to get help if they need it.

Māori tangata whaiora – those with experience of mental illness – are likely to be impacted especially by the physical isolation of lockdown. To keep connected with these people, mobile phones and data bundles have been provided free to mental health and addiction providers so they can continue to deliver their services to their community.

13 Māori providers across the country continue to provide support to tangata whaiora and have developed additional training for staff and whānau, specific wānanga for tane, wahine, rangatahi. 12 Māori organisations are located in the North Island and one in the South Island:

· Te Kotuku ki te Rangi, Auckland

· Piritahi Hauora, Waiheke Island

· Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa, Hamilton

· Ngāti Maniapoto Marae Pact Trust, Te Kuiti

· Tūhoe Hauora, Taneatua, Bay of Plenty

· Te Whānau o Apanui, Te Kaha, Eastern Bay of Plenty

· Te Kupenga Net Trust, Gisborne

· Turanga Health, Gisborne

· Ngāti Porou Hauora, Te Puia Springs

· Te Taumata o Ngāti Whakaue, Rotorua

· Te Oranganui, Whanganui

· Te Waka Whaiora, Porirua, Wellington

· Te Kākākura Health Services, Christchurch

The Ministry of Health is working with iwi to get important COVID-19 messages distributed to their communities regarding the different Alert Levels, testing, contact tracing, PPE and mental wellbeing messaging.

COVID-19 support for Māori information and resources: www.depression.org.nz/covid/alert-level-update/maori/

· The Getting Through Together campaign has specific messaging and stories to help support the mental wellbeing on Māori: www.allright.org.nz/te-waioratanga

Guidelines to help minimise the spread and impact of COVID-19

Despite the challenges we're facing, there's something we can't lose sight of – we've stamped out COVID-19 before and we can do it again. Let's get through this together, Aotearoa.

While uncertainty can be unsettling, there are some things we can do to keep ourselves and others safe, which can give us a sense of control and help us to stay calm:

· Practise good hand washing and face hygiene.

· Keep track of we're you've been (use the NZ COVID tracer app).

· Stay at home if you are sick.

· Take a COVID test if you’re offered one.

· Physical distancing.

· Consider wearing a mask or face covering when out in public and social distancing isn’t possible.

· Look after your mental wellbeing.

· Be kind.