Protecting Mental Health during the COVID-19 outbreak
Protecting Mental Health during the COVID-19 outbreak
Click here to complete our survey on Mental Health Responses during COVID-19
Click here for the full explanatory statement
- The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 30 January 2020.
- The public health impact of this is pandemic is without precedence and the magnitude of public uncertainty and fear is evident across the media.
- Managing your mental health and psychosocial well-being during this time is as important as managing your physical health.
COVID-19 and mental health: findings from the MAPrc survey
Please click here to download a lay summary of initial findings from our survey and reference for the published paper.
FOR WORKPLACES: team leaders or managers
- Feeling stressed during this situation can be a very normal response.
- Helping protect staff from chronic stress and poor mental health will help staff to fulfil their roles.
- Ensure regular communication with accurate information updates are provided to all staff.
- Maintain regular video conferencing to ensure work colleagues remain socially connected
- Role model self-care strategies to reduce stress
- Check in on staff and ensure they are aware of how to access mental health support if needed.
WHEN TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP
If stress or anxiety worsens and begins to impact everyday life for yourself, a family member or someone in your workplace, seek help from a psychologist, your GP or a psychiatrist. You may be able to see a professional via telehealth and you might be eligible for a medicare rebate. To access a psychologist you can use the Australia-wide “Find a Psychologist” service. Go to findapsychologist.org.au or call 1800 333 497.
For people with existing mental ill health conditions, the current situation may trigger an exacerbation of symptoms. It is important to seek help from your treating team at these times. If you don’t have a current treating team, seek help from your GP who may be able to refer you to a psychiatrist.
USEFUL RESOURCES
Mental Health resources
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
Life in Mind
Australian Psychological Society: 1800 333 497
MAPrc COVID-19 RELATED PUBLICATIONS
https://ccsmonash.blogspot.com/2020/10/humour-and-acceptance-most-helpful.html
https://www.monash.edu/medicine/news/latest/2020-articles/humour-and-acceptance,-not-venting-and-denial,-are-helping-us-get-through-lockdown
Official COVID-19 Information Sources
Department of Health Coronavirus Health Information Line: 1800 020 080
World Health Organization