Callers anxious about the coronavirus swamp mental support services

Mental health support group Beyond Blue has been inundated with calls, one in four of which is concerned with COVID-19.

Beyond Blue chief executive Georgie Harmon. Picture: Alison Wynd

Anxiety about coronavirus is sweeping the nation, prompting a significant upturn in contact with psychological support services.

Mental health support group Beyond Blue has been inundated with calls, one in four of which is concerned with COVID-19 and its emotional impact.

The group’s online corona­virus discussion forum has been viewed 21,000 times since its inception­, at a rate of more than 2000 views a day, and growing.

This is a rate seven times higher than for the forum hosted on the recent bushfires, which was Beyond­ Blue’s most visited forum thread until now.

“People are contacting us ­anxious about what it all means,” Beyond Blue chief executive Georgie Harmon said.

“They’re asking: ‘Are we going to die? How long will this last? Can I get my medication? I have elderly parents overseas. I don’t know if I can keep my business afloat. I’ve just lost my job.’

“They are feeling overwhelming amounts of stress, worry and anxiety, which in these circumstances are perfectly normal emotion­s.’’

The Morrison government is consulting with mental health expert­s to develop a mental health support package to deal with ­anxiety, loneliness and isolation because of the impact of COVID­19 and the associated lockdown. Mental health supports were alread­y stretched before the virus.

Ms Harmon said while some people might need crisis intervention for their mental health concerns, less serious cases were receiving advice that served as a useful reminder to all Australians.

“Three things are really important, the first being to control what can be controlled,” she said.

“We need to reset routines. We can control what we eat, we can control our exercise. This brings some control back into our lives.

“Second is managing the inform­ation.

“People are struggling with the sheer volume of it and wondering how they keep up. They are asking ‘Is this right?’ a lot, which is a ­legitimate question given mis­information on social media. And, third, they are saying, ‘I just can’t stop looking at all this’. Our message (then) is stop, have a break, change the way you are consuming media. Maybe change your settings, staying up to date but only checking in once or twice a day, not constantly.’’

The organisation’s corona­virus forum was also a moderated site to air concerns and seek advice­, she said. “It helps remind people they are not alone and thousands are feeling the same way. People are sharing tips about what is working for them, and this is therapeutic in itself.”

Beyond Blue Support Service via phone 24/7 on 1300 224636 or via www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat