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The Federal Government is pleading with Australians to not neglect their mental health, revealing use of services is falling despite a rise in public anxiety and concern over the coronavirus pandemic.
Key points:
- BeyondBlue has received a 40 per cent increase in contacts
- The National Mental Health Commission is concerned there has been a decrease in people seeking help from other services
- The coronavirus crisis is believed to be increasing public anxiety and worry
There has been a 40 per cent increase in people using BeyondBlue services compared to this time last year, but contact with mental health professionals overall is falling, says Christine Morgan, the chief executive of the National Mental Health Commission.
"What we would have hoped to have seen as a response to that is an increase in use of mental health services," she said.
"We think that those who would normally be using mental health service to support their mental health and wellbeing or their mental health challenges, are not actually going out and doing those visits."
Ms Morgan said the commission was aware of themes emerging in mental health presentations, including concern over the future and loneliness due to social isolation.
"Another issue that has really emerged has been a sense of loneliness for many Australians," she said.
"For those Australians who live on their own, who in actuality cannot have the tangible reality of a hug from a loved one.
"We cannot underestimate the mental health impact that is having on Australians."
Ms Morgan said the federal and state governments were working on a response plan to analyse mental health responses across the country and chart a way forward.
Australians living in 'pressure cookers'
Ms Morgan's concerns follow the Government allocating $74 million to mental health services that are coming under strain during the coronavirus pandemic.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said 50 per cent of mental health consultations were now happening through the Government's Telehealth platform, with more than 1 million consultations having happened since mental health services began being offered on the platform last month.
But Ms Morgan said people were not accessing help as much as they should.
"For those of us staying at home, and that's the vast, vast majority of Australians, it is a pressure cooker," she said.
"You do still need to contact your mental health services. You can do it now through Telehealth, you can do it through the digital services.
"But part of getting through this whole crisis is that we actually address our mental health and our wellbeing."
Mental health organisations have reported a significant spike in demand for support services as people grapple with unemployment, financial stress and isolation.
How Australians are coping with the consequences from COVID-19 is also the subject of a major national survey currently being conducted by Monash University.
