"Mom, don't be scared" - A story of my Mother fighting against depression during Covid lockdown in Vietnam by Thong Vo

The photos below are the story of my family, particularly my Mother during the last year's social distancing restriction in Vietnam. I made this photo reportage merely with the desire to document truthfully a difficult time that happened to my family, from the witness of a son, about an issue that is not new during the outspread of the pandemic, but more or less, has not been noticed as much as those daily infection numbers. It is the mental aftermath caused for the elderly as the result of long-time lockdown. Sadness, depression, hopelessness and fear - to name a few.

NIGHT BEFORE THE STORM.

THE LOOK OF MOM. Mother was dia...the family's apartment.

THE LOOK OF MOM.

Mother was diagnosed with depression, right during the period of social isolation because of Covid-19. This is the moment Mom looks out the window of the family's apartment.

ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION HIT. An...king her even more dilapidated.

ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION HIT.

Anxiety, stress and depression came to Mother at the same time as the fear of Covid-19 rising in the community, making her even more dilapidated.

Fear rose even higher as isolat...ed in her own world, literally.

Fear rose even higher as isolation and loneliness arose. There was little social interaction by then, not even a greetings to nearby neighbor. Mom, hence, lived in her own world, literally.

It was an early afternoon midwe...alone when I took this picture.

It was an early afternoon midweek, and she was showering alone when I took this picture.

THE TREATMENT In the photo, Dad...every morning when she woke up.

THE TREATMENT

In the photo, Dad was taking Mom's blood pressure every morning when she woke up.

TAKING THE PILLS Mom regularly ...to prolonged social distancing.

TAKING THE PILLS

Mom regularly takes medicine as prescribed by the doctor, but the most important dose of medicine is the interaction and connection with the outside world is still not possible, due to prolonged social distancing.

THE CARE OF FAMILY. Even in tha...m in the midst of her insomnia.

THE CARE OF FAMILY.

Even in that difficult moments, the whole family always stood by, supported and cared for Mother with great love. In the photo, Auntie is doing massage therapy for Mom in the midst of her insomnia.

MEDITATION AND INNER HEALING. M...oughts and regulating her mood.

MEDITATION AND INNER HEALING.

Mom practiced meditation as a calming therapy, keeping her mind clear of negative thoughts and regulating her mood.

PLAYING A CHESS GAME. Similarly...long days of social distancing.

PLAYING A CHESS GAME.

Similarly, playing games with Auntie is a way for Mom to get rid of the boring monotony of the long days of social distancing.

EXERCISE RIGHT IN THE CORRIDOR....ing is more precious than that!

EXERCISE RIGHT IN THE CORRIDOR.

Small, regular exercise every day, to keep a sound mind within a solid body. Nothing is more precious than that!

THE DIARY.

...to jot down how she felt each day

READING AS A WAY OF TREATMENT.

PORTRAIT OF A STRONG-WILL LADY....n a warm sunny morning at home.

PORTRAIT OF A STRONG-WILL LADY.

After 3 months of persistent treatment and recovery, Mother slowly came out of depression, found joy in life and looked more alive. In the photo: portrait of Mom on a warm sunny morning at home.

After the storm has gone, rainbow would rise again.

Thong Vo

Also by Thong Vo —

Time Dance

Days after her 100th

Tết through my Mother's hands

Supercars recharged - A day at a professional car workshop

Monique - more than a coffee shop

Home with a scoop of sky

Sunday, fun day, run day!

13th anniversary of Peaceful Bamboo Family (Tinh Truc Gia)

There is a voice inside telling me I'm okay

Beautiful Abandoned

A day in life at Peaceful Bamboo Family