Are you into Halloween? This year, it’s important you know how to stay safe from ghosts, ghouls, monsters, and COVID-19

Halloween fun is all about great costumes. Remember, a costume mask isn’t the same as a protective mask – but why not decorate a protective face mask to match your outfit?

When celebrating Halloween, meet with your friends in a public space like the park, keep your distance, and practise good hygiene. Don’t share food or drinks.

Even if you can’t trick or treat, there’s lots of fun ways to have a spooky Halloween while staying at home. Decorate the house, watch scary movies, make creepy cakes or go on a scavenger hunt.

People with intellectual disability: supporting mental wellbeing during COVID-19

By Beyond Blue

As the pandemic continues to impact everyday life, taking care of our mental health and wellbeing has never been more important.

This is especially true for people with intellectual disability, for whom the pandemic may have a greater impact on their mental wellbeing than the general population.

Professor Julian Trollor, a neuropsychiatrist and Chair of Intellectual Disability Mental Health at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), explains why.

“This is due, in part, to individual risk factors such as severity of disability, presence of autism spectrum disorder, experience of abuse, age, and pre-existing mental health and behaviours of concern. All of these factors make adjusting to the disruption of routine and adjusting to COVID-19-related risk-reduction strategies – including social distancing – potentially particularly hard for people with intellectual disability,” says Trollor.

“People with intellectual disability may also have difficulty understanding information about COVID-19, including necessary risk-mitigating measures.”

“They may also struggle to put what’s going on into perspective, and have difficulty expressing concerns and accessing appropriate supports at this stressful time,” adds Trollor.

Many people with intellectual disability require support from families, disability support workers and other service providers – and that’s without a global pandemic – says Trollor, who to this point, highlights the importance of caregivers staying up to date with the latest official advice about COVID-19.

Click the link below to continue reading about ways to support the mental health of people with intellectual disability during this difficult time.

Halloween & COVID-19: Have fun while staying COVIDsafe

Although Halloween is relatively new to Australia, it has taken off rapidly over previous years and 2020 might be a fun way to start some Hallween traditions in your family. While some Halloween traditions may look different this year to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still plenty of ways families can have fun in a COVIDsafe way.

Virtual costume parties & parades

Use video chats for an online party with friends and family and show off costumes and play games. Have fun with it!

Making masks part of the costume

Encourage children to use their cloth face coverings as part of their cos​​tume (think surgeon or superhero!). However, be wary of painting the masks, since some paints contain toxins​. Also keep in mind that a costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth face covering unless it has multiple layers of breathable fabric and covers the mouth and nose snugly.

Spooky movie night

Celebrate with a movie night and dress as your favourite characters. Do this as a family at home or consider letting your child watch with their friends while video chatting, with everyone starting the movie at the same time.

Remember

Halloween during the COVID-19 pandemic is a chance for you and your children to get creative, and maybe even invent some new traditions for your family! It's also a great opportunity to model flexibility and a positive spirit. If you're excited and make it fun, your kids will have fun, too.

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