COVID’s mental health fallout will last a long time. Here's how we're targeting depression and anxiety
3 March 2021
As the pandemic enters its second year, many people will be continuing to suffer with poor mental health, or facing new mental health challenges.
The effects of recurrent lockdowns, fears about the effectiveness of the vaccines, restricted movement within and beyond Australia, and the bleak economic outlook are taking their toll on psychological well-being.
Now is the time to think about sustainable, evidence-based mental health programs that will serve Australians as we confront the mental fallout of the pandemic in 2021 and beyond.
The evidence is in
We now have incontrovertible evidence mental health has deteriorated during the pandemic. Large studies that assessed people’s mental health before and during COVID-19 have reported marked increases in anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress since the pandemic began.
Although many experts predicted people with pre-existing mental disorders would be most vulnerable, we’ve seen even greater increases in psychological distress among those without a history of mental illness.
Unemployment and financial stress have exacerbated psychological problems during the pandemic. The major concern is that the increase in mental health problems will persist for years because of the economic downturn facing most nations.
Importantly, suicide rates increase during economic downturns. One study showed each 1% increase in unemployment was associated with a 1per cent increase in suicides.
The impact of unemployment and financial hardship on mental health is relevant for many Australians, as fears of reduced support from the JobSeeker and JobKeeper schemes loom. Although the government this week announced the JobSeeker payment will go up, welfare groups have warned it’s still not enough.
So what can we do?
The question now facing many nations is how to manage the unprecedented number of people who may need mental health assistance. There are several challenges.
First, lockdowns, social isolation, and fear of infection impede the traditional form of receiving mental health care in clinics. These obstacles might now be greater in other countries with higher infection rates, but we’ve certainly seen these challenges in Australia over the past year.
Second, many people who have developed mental health conditions during the pandemic would never have had reason to seek help before, which can impede their motivation and ability to access care.
Third, many people experiencing distress will not have a clinical mental disorder, and in this sense, don’t require therapy. Instead, they need new skills to help them cope.
Source: Richard Bryant, Professor & Director of Traumatic Stress Clinic, UNSW
If you feel like you're not coping, TeamTALK can help! Maybe you need advice, suggestions on new coping mechanisms or maybe you just need to have a confidential discussion with someone who will listen- call TeamTALK on 1800 832 600
