Coronavirus: Mental health strategy targets risk of suicide surge

A major mental health package is being developed by the Morrison government to address what could be an explosion in cases.

Health Minister Greg Hunt held a teleconference with the mental health sector on Tuesday night in a bid to ‘get ahead of the curve’. Picture: Getty Images

A major mental health package is being developed by the Morrison government to address what the country’s leading doctors have warned could be an explosion in cases because of the COVID-19 lockdown fuelled by elevated ­anxiety, isolation and loneliness.

The Australian understands that Health Minister Greg Hunt held a teleconference with the mental health sector on Tuesday night in a bid to “get ahead of the curve” of what is looming as a ­potential long-term crisis that would rival the health impacts of the virus.

One of the country’s chief mental health experts, Patrick McGorry, is understood to have spoken with Scott Morrison on Monday night to canvass options for a ­national response to what would be a secondary health impact of the pandemic.

The Australian understands the government will engage in an intensive round of consultation with mental health experts over the next few days. Mr Hunt told The Australian that the government was alive to the risk that it could become a major health issue.

“We want to get ahead of the curve,” Mr Hunt said. “We understand that many people, understandably, will be anxious or distressed about the health, social or economic pressures, and possibly all three.

“Isolation (and) loneliness can be a deeply pressing human concern for everyone.”

Dr McGorry, professor of youth mental health at the University of Melbourne, told The Australian there was a risk that suicides could rise as a result of financial stress, job losses and social isolation and the mental health system might not be able to cope.

He flagged a mental health taskforce to sit alongside the corona­virus taskforce.

“This could be equally serious as the health impacts of the virus,” Dr McGorry said. “We could see a rise in suicides over things like fin­ancial stress and losing your job.

“It could be of equal importance over time to the coronavirus.

“All the risk factors for new cases are forming … isolation, fin­ancial loss, stress, people losing their jobs and social support.

“And deep anxiety about what is going to happen … This is a huge issue. The Prime Minister understands it.”

He flagged the possibility that mental health workers, with protective health equipment, might need to make home visits to people in need. Services would also have to be potentially delivered via digital and online media with face-to-face meetings being unlikely during lockdown conditions.

Mr Hunt confirmed the government was in the process of developing a significant package in anticipation of the potential for a mental health crisis. Dr McGorry praised Mr Morrison for putting mental health at the top of the government’s health policy agenda but said the unprecedented situation under COVID-19 would take unprecedented measures to address.

“Unlike the physical health system, the mental health system is not fit for purpose. It is very fragile at the best of times,” Dr McGorry said. “It will be a challenge to meet the new demand, as it will be difficult to see people face-to-face.”

He suggested that adult hubs set up around the country for mental health could be used as “local command centres” for acute mental health cases.

“(But) this is a state government issue as well,” he said. Dr McGorry said it would be difficult to have patients with mental health issues in the public hospital system under the current crisis.