A ‘pressure cooker’ environment is one of the main issues causing tension in the home that has been identified by Accord phone support lines.
Since setting up their line in mid-April they have received calls from people with issues of pressure and stress caused by uncertainty around security of employment, the effect of the pandemic restrictions on children and relationships that were vulnerable, pre-restrictions .
Mary Johnston, a specialist in counselling for marriage and relationships from the Catholic marriage care service, spoke to The Irish Catholic about how reasonable anxieties can bring out the worst of people in this time. “Sometimes stress and anxiety can almost paralyse some people. Other people when they’re stressed and anxious, they do the opposite to withdrawing, they sort of explode – they can be sharp, they can be tetchy, they can be rude,” she said, stating that the service is also concerned for those dealing with issues of substance abuse in the home and instances of domestic violence.