I am a frontline healthcare worker and I have encountered anxiety ever since COVID-19 crisis hit our nation. On 23rd March was my first mission in combating COVID-19 along with my colleague. I was in one of the first teams to be called into the field. All I can say is I was not ready. But due to commitment, I have to say yes with a heavy heart.

I was fine during the first week until our line of defence started to fall apart. At this moment all the anxiety symptoms started to come in. I couldn’t reach out to seek help because no one was listening and no one believed me.

I used to be a cheerful and strong person at work and when I said I have experienced anxiety symptoms and have not been able to sleep since the pandemic, no one believed me. Friends, especially colleagues, said I was faking it.

One day I decided to go for counselling therapy and there I had a safe space to let it out. Plus, unexpected friends came to offer help by diverting my worries away. Now I am progressively doing better and I hope I can improve more in dealing with anxiety.