An intriguing image Annalia and interesting to read about Marco Cavallo.

There's no doubt that many people who perhaps never had any previous difficulties with their mental health are now struggling somewhat in this pandemic. Thankfully, there is better help available than all those years ago, but in my own experience much more needs to be done as access to help is still very much a postcode lottery!

Thank you, Autofantasia.
Unfortunately you are right on both counts, I believe. The virus takes advantage of our social nature to spread, so - until we can get around to vaccinate everybody - the only way to hinder it is to curtail social contact and everyone of us, but vulnerable people even more, is bound to suffer from the enforced, and prolonged, lack of interaction. An increase in mental health issues even in those who had not been suffering before is, I am afraid, an inevitable consequence. And I agree that much more needs to be done to improve access to help for those who do suffer from mental health problems, as well as to combat a resistant social stigma.

Thank you for the interesting story Annalia.

Thank you, Jaap. I can't help but think about the impact this situation must be having on the most vulnerable and this scene "spoke" to me.

La silla y su sombra, impecables.

Muchas gracias, José. A mi también me gustó ese detalle de la escena. A pesar de qué no hay ninguna figura humana en la imagen, es fácil de imaginar a alguien sentado allí gozando de las ultimas rayas del sol.

Wonderful texte and an intriguing image
Perfect to give visibility to this serious problem, an area still very careless, Annalia

Thank you, Judite. I had a discussion early on with Isabel concerning the "other victims" of the pandemic (she had a neighbour who committed suicide) that stayed with me. I think it's important we do not forget them. The price we are paying to this catastrophe is not just those who succumb to the virus or the economic impact, it's the damage to the fabric of our societies, to people's mental health, to children's right to learn and play, to neighbourliness and solidarity.

The virus is having an impact on us all Annalia, even I struggle at times but somehow bring a sense of perspective to it.

I ran out of reading material and decided to reread The Lord of the Rings, which I had read a long time ago. I found this dialogue between Gandalf, the wise wizard, and young Frodo, when the latter discovers that he suddenly finds himself right in the middle of a terrifying epochal struggle:

"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf,"and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

I could not help but find it applicable to these scary, unthinkable times we are living in. I think as photographers one thing we can do is try and help each other give voice through our images to the things we believe are important, even if it is just that the beauty of a flower can still move us or that we can share our adventures around the world through our photo archives or whatever else our images can do to help us sustain each other through this nightmare.

You, HappySnapper, were kind enough to visit my gallery and leave kind comments during the two months that Italians were in deep lockdown when the first wave hit us ahead of everyone else. Others did too and I credit Ipernity with helping me keep my sanity back then.

Un symbole de leur droit à la dignité ,comme vous dites et à des soins appropriés car toutes personnes malades mentales ont besoin d'une assistance et un suivi rigoureux.
Superbe ce dessin révélateur..!

So uplifting!

davvero una bellissima luce

ed una domanda: cosè della nostra salute mentale? io sono francamente stanca......

I am glad that many people and scientists see people as holistic beings.
Unfortunately, that wasn't always the case.
Cohesion is very important for all of us right now.

Very nicely shown with informative words about it, Annalia

An interesting image with excellent explanatory notes, Annalia. Apart from more immediate issues on mental health, I find it concerning to read increasingly of studies showing various long-term effects from the virus. Stay safe.