Flinders University survey finds most South Australians’ mental health damaged by COVID-19 pandemic
Though the physical effects of COVID-19 are by now well known, Flinders University is examining how an entire population’s mental health is suffering from the pandemic.
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Almost three-quarters of South Australians believe the coronavirus pandemic has negatively affected their mental wellbeing.
According to a survey of 300 people, about 50 per cent feel less secure about their job, 25 per cent have lost income – but 85 per cent of the respondents remain supportive of the tight SA Health restrictions.
Flinders University researchers have been studying the results of the online survey that uses a wellbeing index endorsed by the UN to determine the impact the virus has had on a person’s wellbeing.
Chief investigator Associate Professor Udoy Saikia said that preliminary results revealed some disturbing trends.
Most people (83 per cent) were feeling positive and hopeful about life before the onset of COVID-19 – and that dropped significantly to 36 per cent as the virus took hold.
“The impact on mental health is quite worrying,” Prof Saikia said.
The survey found that there were negative impacts on mental health among 72.4 per cent of people, compared to no impact at 21.7 per cent and a positive impact for just 5.9 per cent.
“The most positive aspect so far is people’s high rating of overall performance of the South Australian Government in dealing with the pandemic situation,” Prof Saikia said.
“And also, the support from friends and the neighbourhood.”
So far about 300 people have taken part in the active survey and researchers are actively encouraging more people to participate.
And it’s no surprise that almost three-quarters of those surveyed have experienced negative effects on their mental health.
Prof Saikia says most people (68 per cent) “have been able to draw on the support of friends and family to help and to deal with difficult situations during COVID-19 and share with them their worries and concerns”.
Fifty-five per cent of the respondents have found solace from all the turmoil with the help of their pet. When Prof Saikia looked at only those who have pets, about 93 per cent found their pet to have been a benefit to their wellbeing during COVID-19.
Prof Saikia says the research will examine the impact of the pandemic on wellbeing in various dimensions of life and establish methodology that others can replicate elsewhere.
“It will strengthen formulating and implementing evidence-based policies for maintaining higher level of wellbeing both during the pandemic and post-pandemic situations,” he told The Advertiser.
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