Paul Bibby
Recent arrivals in the Shire are among those whose mental health has been most affected by the COVID crisis, a local psychologist says.
As the COVID curve continues its downward trajectory in NSW, attention is turning to the broader social impacts of the crisis, including mental health.
And while the mental health risks for older people in isolation have been well-documented, Dr Cara Wong from the Health Lodge in Byron Bay has observed a more surprising local trend.
‘I’ve been seeing quite a lot of people who moved to the area recently, but haven’t made strong social connections yet,’ says Dr Wong.
‘They’re already a bit vulnerable, because they don’t know that many people’.
‘And now they can’t go out, they can’t meet anyone and they come here to start this new life in the northern rivers, but they can’t do that.
Dr Wong says many younger locals have also been affected.
‘I’ve had quite a few younger clients who are feeling quite socially isolated and then becoming quite depressed and down, feeling a bit hopeless,’ she said.
‘In some cases they were working in hospitality and now they’re not having many work prospects.’
For other clients, the dual pressures of financial stress and having to juggle work commitments and home schooling have also taken a mental toll.
Unfortunately, financial difficulty has deterred some from seeking help.
‘When the social distancing laws first came into effect, we had a sudden increase in cancellations.
‘I think there was also some who thought, ‘I can’t afford to see a health professional’, including via telehealth.
‘Thankfully, that’s starting to change as the system has adapted, and psychologists are being more flexible in terms of payment arrangements.
‘But there’s still this sense of financial uncertainty for a lot of people. What will the future hold? Will I have a job in six months?’
Dr Wong echoed the advice of a number of other mental health professionals who have stressed the importance of self-care during the COVID crisis.
This includes speaking to a professional when issues arise, looking after your body, making time for relaxing hobbies and activities such as meditation, and being kind to others.
‘It’s easy to push our own mental health down the priority list in stressful times, we know from a plethora of research studies that looking after our own wellbeing has untold benefits not just for ourselves but for those around us,’ she says.
‘This is particularly important for those of us who are parents. Children read parents far more than they read news feeds and articles. Emotions and behaviour are contagious; we just have to look at the toilet paper hoarding to observe this first hand!’
If you need urgent mental health crisis support, please contact LifeLine on 13 11 14; or NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.
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