Coronavirus: South Australia’s COVID-19 mental health toll revealed in official SA Health survey
Almost one in five adults suffered “psychological distress” last month in the wake of widespread COVID-19-fuelled social and financial problems.
Coronavirus News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Simon Tyler researching high rates of suicide in construction industry
- Exclusive interview: mental health toll will last years, says top doctor
Thousands of South Australians feel significant emotional troubles amid the coronavirus pandemic, an official survey shows, as a critical mental health service gets a multimillion-dollar funding boost.
State Government researchers found almost one in five adults suffered “psychological distress” last month in the wake of widespread COVID-19-fuelled social and financial problems.
Asking virus-related questions for the first time, the SA Health survey further reported how nearly a quarter of people had “low (or) poor overall wellbeing”.
While the statewide survey showed a slight improvement on April’s findings as restrictions eased, concerned health authorities will closely monitor the pandemic’s “significant impact” over coming months.
Health Minister Stephen Wade told The Advertiser that an extra $4.4 million would extend Virtual Mental Health Support Network services for almost another four months.
The funding guarantees until the end of September various mental health, drug and alcohol counselling.
It will also boost psychosocial services and other initiatives for children, youths, aged care residents as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“South Australians have had to be incredibly resilient in response to the drought, the recent bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Wade said.
“There has never been a more important time to invest in mental health and wellbeing.”
The South Australian Population Health Survey, conducted by Wellbeing SA since 2002, has for the past two months asked virus-related questions to gauge any community effects.
In response to The Advertiser’s inquiries, SA Health released the findings of 1600 respondents showing 18 per cent of adults “reported having psychological distress” in May.
April’s findings, based on 1134 people, was 21.6 per cent. In May, 22.5 per cent reported low poor overall wellbeing, compared to 27.8 per cent the previous month.
Since March 31, more than 700 calls have been placed to a special mental health hotline.
Figures show 136 unanswered calls were “abandoned”.
The rate of people contemplating suicide decreased from 8.1 per cent to 7.7 per cent.
Wellbeing SA Chief Executive Lyn Dean said the survey was an important resource tool.
“Given the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of South Australians, we will continue to monitor these indicators for the foreseeable future,” she said.
“Wellbeing SA increased the number of people being invited to participate in the survey each week to ensure we understand and respond to the changing needs of the community.”
Chief Psychiatrist, Dr John Brayley, said network services focused on prevention and early intervention.
He told The Advertiser in March that as more people suffered anxiety, fear and post-traumatic stress, the mental toll – also fuelled by the summer’s bushfire disaster – could last up to four years.
For help, call Lifeline: 13 11 14