Emotion: sadness
Problem: ongoing depression
Situation: Coronavirus restrictions are getting me down and I've suffered from low motivation and can't seem to get positive about anything any more.

user: Hi there

assistant: Hello. How's it going?

user: I've not been doing great to be honest. I'm finding it hard to stay positive with all these constant lockdowns and restrictions

assistant: I can agree. There are so many places going back to where we were several months ago. Which state do you live in?

user: I'm actually from the UK. I live in the North of the country near Manchester and things are bad here right now.

assistant: I agree it's bad! Where I live in the US our numbers are going back up and the kids are being home schooled again. I just keep thinking this is temporary!

user: Yes I suppose it does help to think it possible not for the long term but my friends seem to be dealing with it better than I am and I'm not quite sure why it's put me in such a sad emotional state. I should just get on with it but have very low motivation

assistant: I have to say it's hard to find motivation and I was in that spot at the beginning. With news of vaccines being introduced here shortly, that's what's keeping me afloat. Are you able to hang out with friends?

user: no not really because I'm not supposed to mix with people outside of my household. I could potentially try and meet them virtually online or on a video call is this something you've had much experience with?

assistant: Oh very much so! Zoom and Facetime are my best friends right now. lol I think that's one of the reasons why I snapped out of my depression is because I started doing that more since we couldn't go out and do anything.

user: Ok that's interesting so you have also suffered with depression in the past? exactly how did you get out of it yourself?

assistant: I downloaded Zoom around the end of May. The first two months were the worst. I had never heard of Zoom until a friend said we should have a virtual party so he organized it and there were 11 on the call. It was so much fun despite the fact. Maybe organizing a "zoom party" would start to lift your spirits.

user: that's a really good suggestion. I could also catch up with friends that haven't seen for a while. I think this would definitely work to boost my mood. The only problem is being depressed isn't something that I'm familiar with. what if it goes a little bit deeper than this?

assistant: Depression sucks I have to say! Just don't let it win. Since you say it's something you have never dealt with, you can fight it by staying upbeat and do something fun.

user: Sure, or something conversations like this help perhaps a support group would be a good idea also?

assistant: Start off by not being hard on yourself for feeling the way you do. Music, tv and books does it for me - and zoom Most definitely. Do you have Meetup over there?

user: I've never heard of this, what is it?

assistant: It's an app on mobile devices where you can (when there's no pandemic) meet up with folks who share common interests as yourself. Nowadays instead of meeting in person, they are doing virtual meetups. I do it with a book club.

user: I think something to take my mind off the current situation would be really good. I like the idea of a virtual book club. is it free?

assistant: Totally free!

user: I like the sound of that, thanks for your help

assistant: You are so welcome. Just don't let that depression get the best of you. You're stronger than it is.

user: thank you for the vote of confidence.