International experts flag need for National mental health task force

A panel of international health specialists is backing a Brisbane expert who has called for a national task force response to coronavirus trauma.

Dr Matt Worthington Brisbane psychologist is calling for a national trauma taskforce. Photo supplied.

A Brisbane trauma expert is calling for a national co-ordinated Trauma Task Force to deal with escalating mental health issues from the coronavirus spread.

Clinical psychologist Matt Worthington is developing a panel of national and international trauma experts including Neurofeedback Australia’s Steve Phillis, international trauma intervention expert Dr David Berceli and international expert on psychological wellbeing Ted Dinan to push for the plan.

Mr Worthington said a Task Force should push for “effective techniques for buffering traumatic stress in various contexts especially now with the virus”.

He said government needed to ensure “rapid reaction traumatic stress teams” who could respond quickly to the escalating impacts of the coronavirus on community.

Neurofeedback Australia’s Mr Phillis said it was “really important that government supports initiatives that provide relevant, accessible and effective support to those who have experienced trauma … an integrated and holistic approach that removes barriers to support is the key”.

“With pending isolation associated with the coronavirus it is likely that mental health concerns will be magnified.”

Mr Phillis said a traumatic stress task force was “critical not only to consolidate existing support but to provide great choice for clients”.

“In order to help people take control of their mental health it is critical that we listen to them and provide a range of options and not just direct them to a one size fits all.”

St George’s University of London senior lecturer and UK psychologist Dr James Erskine said at times of global or national crisis those with pre-existing health condition both physical and mental frequently “see a worsening of their symptoms”.

He said government, charities and the private sector were focused on “physical health, food provision, medicine, shelter, bail outs, loans, deferred payments schemes however there is almost no emergency provision for mental health … when high numbers of people will require these interventions”.

He said mental health support could be delivered across face-to-face, telephone, Skype and email.

Professor of Psychiatry at University College Cork and international expert on psychological wellbeing Ted Dinan, who has committed to the expert panel, said the task force required a “multidisciplinary response from microbiologists, infectious disease and community medicines specialists, GPs, psychologist, politicians and research funding agencies.”

“There is increasing evidence to indicate that our gut microbes help us to deal with stress and may be altered negatively by trauma,” he said.

“Recovering from trauma not only requires psychological input but also attention to diet and exercise, which influence our gut microbes.”

Mr Worthington has called on the Federal Government to establish a National Trauma Task Force.

Mr Worthington said the virus was “exposing the flaws within the current treatment and welfare systems”.

He said a panel of trauma experts would provide advice on social policy around traumatic stress and effective treatments including creating an alternative trauma directory and non-pharmaceutical interventions.

The News contacted the office of the Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt for comment.