Managing Mental Health as we emerge from COVID-19

AMA May 2020

The AMA (Australian Medical Association) is calling for a renewed and expanded focus on the mental health of the population as Australia begins to emerge from the health and social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, said that the community will need more resources to deal with the widespread impact that the COVID-19 virus and the strong physical distancing measures have had on individuals throughout the crisis.

“The unprecedented nature of the pandemic and the control measures have affected people in different ways – from anxiety and uncertainty to more serious issues that involve people moving into the formal mental health system,” Dr Bartone said.

Everybody has felt some level of worry and concern, but some people much more than others. For some people, it will take some time to get over the trauma of this pandemic. We must be ready with the expert mental health care and resources to help people get back to a position of normality in their everyday lives.

Some will require specialised mental health care for existing or new conditions, while many will receive more appropriate care and advice from their GP. It is normal to have anxieties and concerns in these extraordinary circumstances. Your GP can help you cope and steer you through this period,” Dr Bartone said.

The AMA believes there are certain groups in the community who may be suffering more acute mental health issues. These include:

• people with pre-existing mental illnesses;
• those encountering higher levels of stress and uncertainty (including the recently unemployed or under-employed, and those with less stable or secure housing);
• frontline and essential workers, including health workers;
• the vulnerable and socially isolated, including those with severe mental illness;
• the elderly, both in the community and in aged care facilities; and
• children and young people.

 

Dr Bartone said that the AMA is concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on people’s mental health and wellbeing across the age range, and whether the mental health sector is equipped to cater for anticipated increased demand for services.

Dedicated public mental healthcare services and practitioners have continued to provide the best care they can, within these constraints, during the crisis. Private mental health services were providing high quality services to enhance care for persons with severe mental health services and have continued to do so during the COVID-19 crisis.

As we will continue to encounter the medium and long-term social and economic disruptions caused by the pandemic, pressure on all mental health service providers will grow. Many health professionals, including GPs, psychiatrists, and emergency physicians are seeing significant growth in the number of patients seeking treatment and support for their mental health.

 

BEYOND BLUE

April 2020

Mental health support boosted
To combat feelings of anxiety and isolation, the Federal Government has partnered with Beyond Blue to offer additional mental health support during the COVID-19 crisis. Beyond Blue has noticed a 30 per cent increase in calls since social restrictions came into force, and their online discussion forum has a record 50,000 views.

Beyond Blue chief executive Georgie Harman said the coronavirus crisis had been challenging for those already living with mental health issues — and for those experiencing such struggles for the first time. Right now, concerns include loneliness and isolation, family stress, job loss and financial issues. People are uncertain, overwhelmed and exhausted.

The new service will offer free telehealth counselling by mental health professionals around the clock. A new website, coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au has a host of coronavirus resources. As well as the usual Beyond Blue helpline there’s a new online community forum where people can share how they are coping.

 

If you or anyone you know needs help:

• Lifelineon 13 11 14
• Kids Helplineon 1800 551 800
• MensLine Australiaon 1300 789 978
• Suicide Call Back Serviceon 1300 659 467
• Beyond Blueon 1300 224 636
• Headspaceon 1800 650 890
• ReachOutat reachout.com
• Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN)on 1800 008 774
• Australian Government at https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert

 

Please note: AMA and Beyond Blue does not provide direct clinical care or referral services. To stay up to date about developments related to the infectious disease outbreak you can call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.