Geelong mental health services seeing high demand after lockdowns

Readjusting in the aftermath of coronavirus lockdowns is fanning social anxiety, with local services reporting high demand for mental health help.

Readjusting in the aftermath of coronavirus lockdowns is fuelling social anxiety, with local services reporting high demand for mental health help.

Western Victoria Primary Health Network acting chief executive Tony Ficca said a trend in feedback from general practices showed people had been struggling to readjust to social situations due to social anxiety and there had been a sustained increase in presentations for mental health help.

Mr Ficca said HeadtoHelp service activity had steadily grown since its started in September.

It was pleasing for Western Victoria PHN to see those in need of mental health help accessing the service at Barwon Health North, Mr Ficca said.

Barwon Child, Youth and Family executive director client services Max Broadley said consistently high numbers of young people continued to contact BCYF’s headspace Geelong service for support.

“During November and December 2020, we saw the number of requests increase, with the impact of school exams and the continued uncertainty of COVID-19 contributing to what was an incredibly difficult year for young people in our community,” Mr Broadley said.

“COVID-19 disrupted most aspects of our lives in 2020 and many of the young people coming to headspace Geelong, are experiencing anxiety and depression as a result of unemployment, financial stress, disruption to their education and also worry about their future.

“Headspace Geelong continues to operate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to support young people in the Geelong region and will continue to be a critical resource to manage the impact of COVID-19 on young people into 2021.”

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Barwon Health Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Services clinical director Associate Professor Steve Moylan said there was consistent demand for mental health services during the last quarter of 2020.

“There are particular groups where demand has been higher than normally expected; for example, people presenting with eating disorders,” Professor Moylan said.

“We are responding to this demand with additional resources where required.”

Professor Moylan said while it was difficult to attribute cause, an increase in presentations occurred after the restrictions eased.

“However, this has settled once again,” he said.

Visit headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/geelong/ or call 5222 6690.

If you or someone you know need help with mental health issues, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Barwon Health Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Triage on 1300 094 187.

Originally published as Geelong mental health services seeing high demand after lockdowns