Mental Health, COVID-19 and Getting Support
๐๐จ๐จ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐ก๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฅ! We are experiencing a very challenging time with the health crisis and COVID-19. People have lost their jobs and businesses have been forced to close. Everyone is restricted to their home with specific exceptions, and are unable to meet or see family and friends. We must wear masks and there is a curfew. Children are learning from home. Every day we hear about people being unwell and dying. There is uncertainty about the future - both the short and longer term.ย It is natural to experience anxiety, grief and loss, loneliness and isolation, low mood and depression. Many people - including those that usually cope very well - have struggled at times.ย ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐ก๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐จ ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐๐ง๐ญ.ย In recognition of this, on the weekend the government announced additional funding for mental health support. ๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ค๐ง๐จ๐ฐ From Friday - 7th August - people can access up to 20 psychology sessions under the Medicare system. This is an increase of 10 sessions. This is very welcome news.ย ๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ง๐๐ฑ๐ญ? Visit your GP and ask for a referral to a psychologist in your area. They will prepare a mental health care plan and can usually recommend a psychologist. You can also check out the Australian Psychological Society website - see the link. If you already have a plan, you will need to see your GP for a review.ย Reach out for support. Donโt put it off. https://www.psychology.org.au/Find-a-Psychologist
