The headlines below come from a single Sydney Morning Herald edition:

Even in Australia, which is very much in control of its Covid management, the news headlines can be anxiety triggers.

In the UK, the virus is still very active, and throughout the world people are also having to worry about the financial struggles to come. Right now there is a great deal making people feel anxious, worried, confused. For vulnerable people, these stresses can be overwhelming. In the two months since lockdown began, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), a charity leading a movement against suicide in the UK, has experienced a record-breaking demand for its helpline, answering 24,100 calls and web chats, and directly preventing 101 suicides

So CALM has launched Covid Blocker, a free to download Google Chrome extension that removes Coronavirus related content and news from users’ web browser. The work was created by adam&eveDDB. The blocker simply allows people to limit when and how much Covid-19 news they consume in a day. They can stay up to date with latest advice and keep safe without becoming consumed by it all and watching all the information coming in 24/7.

The blocker is available on the Chrome Web Store. It identifies and blocks images and text relating to Covid-19 on any site visited. By allowing users to select how long they wish the extension to be enabled via an integrated timer, the blocker helps people to feel a little more in control of the news they’re absorbing, to achieve control of their calmness. In fact, this is recommended by WHO.

CALM chief executive officer, Simon Gunning, commented, “It’s a challenging time for everyone – with so much happening right now. Trying to keep up with the 24 hour news cycle can be detrimental to our mental wellbeing as it can be a constant source of anxiety and worry. We’re not suggesting people avoid the news altogether – it’s important to keep up to date with the latest advice and keep safe –  limiting when and how much Covid news you consume is one way that might help keep your feelings in check and give you the power to switch off and get some headspace. If you are struggling, CALM’s free and confidential helpline and web chat are available from 5pm to midnight, seven days a week providing practical, anonymous and non-judgemental support and advice, whatever you’re going through.”

Mat Goff, joint chief executive officer at adam&eveDDB, stated, “We are proud to continue our work with CALM and support the vital service they provide to those who are feeling down or have perhaps hit a wall, especially during these uncertain times. As we begin to realise and see the impact of this pandemic on our mental wellbeing, we hope tools like the ‘CALM Covid Blocker’ will be a useful addition to an individual’s arsenal of coping mechanisms and re-establish a sense of normality when most needed.”

Ant Nelson and Mike Sutherland, joint executive creative directors at adam&eveDDB, added, “In this time, when everyone is talking about one thing, it can sometimes be hard to find breathing space. With this extension, we wanted to help people find some moments of calm in their new normal, and some headspace to let the good in.”