The Far South Coast had barely paused to regather its collective self after the summer bushfires when COVID-19 appeared, hampering recovery efforts and amplifying the sense of isolation so many were experiencing.
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It's well known major emergencies and disasters such as floods and fires can be traumatic and stressful for people of all ages, with significant impacts on mental health and wellbeing.
Common signs of distress following such incidents include fear, anxiety, anger, frustration, confusion, sadness, denial and lack of motivation.
Rebecca Sng, director of mental health at Grand Pacific Health (GPH) said the period of recovery following the bushfires was interrupted, and uncertainty surrounding the future is impacting our communities greatly.
"Normally there would be a healing time after an event such as bushfires, but COVID has interfered with a normal phase of recovery," Ms Sng said.
"Ordinarily, planning for special events and holidays helps people feel enjoyment, but the unpredictability of the future with the COVID situation means people don't know how to plan or prepare, which is very wearing.
"As humans it's natural for us to try to control. We are currently very limited in how we can plan, both financially and socially."
Ms Sng said that while mental health concerns have increased, so have resources, and GPH has extra funding available for bushfire affected Australians, Headspace in Bega and Nowra, and additional staff.
Last month, the state government announced a $2.8million suicide prevention initiative, over a three year period, which will train over 10,000 volunteers to support those at risk of suicide.
People living in regional areas, as well as Indigenous and LGBTIQ communities, construction workers, first responders, family lawyers, veterinarians and men between 18 and 35 years old will be targeted through the initiative.
While therapy and counselling have their place, Ms Sng said the majority of people make recovery after crises using their existing support systems.
"It's important people don't feel obligated to go to counselling, and remember to draw on friends, family, and community groups as an important part of their recovery as well.
"Many community groups or activities might seem like they're not meeting anymore, but people shouldn't assume there's no way to reconnect, as many have set up programs online or via phone.
"We often feel tempted to give advice or problem solve when those close to us are struggling, but what's important is to be with them in their sadness, grief, anger or nervousness.
"It can be tricky if everyone feels they're doing it tough, to take on difficult emotions of others.
Technology is the primary way many are connecting now, and some people may not be fully comfortable with that platform, while others are learning to come up with creative solutions to maintain connection.
The latest data from Kids Helpline confirms that COVID-19 lockdown and containment measures, along with other impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, has impacted on the mental health of Australian children and young people.
Kids Helpline reported mental health and wellbeing counselling experienced an overall increase of 24% nationally since the pandemic hit, and nationally, the increased use of technology has seen demand for WebChat counselling increase by 62% over the same period, March to July 2019.
Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) training provides three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. They are:
- knowledge and skills to identify warning signs that someone may be suicidal;
- confidence to talk to them about suicidal thoughts; and
- connect them with professional care.
There is free QPR training available online via the Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative website.
"It can be very easy to think about we each as individuals need, what will keep us going, but there's also a lot to be said for helping others and being useful to someone else, which has been proven to improve our own mental health."
Other digital mental health resources include Head to Health, Headspace, beyondblue, Black Dog Institute, Kids Helpline and Lifeline.
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