As the country enters what it hopes is the halfway point of the lockdown period, a psychologist is warning Kiwis not to pin their hopes on life returning to normal in two weeks.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced in late April that a lockdown of "at "least" four weeks was needed in order to stem the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus.
But as New Zealanders head into day-14 of their forced self-isolation, psychologist Jacqui Maguire is urging people not to start eyeing up their freedom just yet.
"The risk is if New Zealanders count down the days and truly believe that in two weeks' time this level 4 alert will be over we run the risk of having large disappointment, frustration, distress, etc if that is then extended," Maguire told Newshub.
With all non-essential businesses ordered to close and Kiwis now only allowed to leave their home for necessities such as exercise and trips to the doctor or supermarket, there are concerns over how people's mental health will fare in these trying times.
Maguire says as much as possible people should hold a "dual focus" as they attempt to come out the other end of the lockdown period in a healthy state.
"On one hand we need to continue to focus on how we stay well in a day-to-day approach - for example, getting out and exercising, staying connected with people, having highly frequent positive emotions in their day," she said.
"On the other hand, I think New Zealanders need to keep the big picture in mind around the fact that we might be at the halfway point but we might not."
Studies show that effectively cutting ourselves off from society can have a multitude of negative effects, says Maguire.
"Long-term self-isolation can cause increased insomnia, depression, lack of concentration, psychological distress and for some people it can have the equivalent impact as being through a traumatic incident."
Some studies even show that people have had post-traumatic stress symptoms for up to three years after going through a quarantine period, Maguire said.
"It's really important that we take the risks seriously around self-isolation but that we also look at the active strategies that people can do to stay well."
Earlier this week, an Australian psychologist likened the emotions experienced by many during lockdown as being similar to losing a loved one.
The stress suffered by such an uncertain time of change is exasperated for many by financial concerns triggered by the economic fallout of COVID-19.
The Government has also acknowledged the strain on the nation's mental health, launching a new campaign on Tuesday to provide support for those struggling.
The initiative shares ways to cope with COVID-19-related stress and also offers tools for parents to talk to their children about their mental health and wellbeing.
More support is expected to be announced later this week, including services specifically for Māori, Pacific, older people, people with chronic health conditions or compromised immunity and new mothers.
Maguire recommends that people remember to not only be kind to others during these times but also to be kind to ourselves.
"We don't know when it will end but it will end, and at some point life will return to a type of normalcy."
Where to find help and support:
Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
