‘The shadow pandemic’: Australia’s mental health crisis as COVID-19 lockdowns exact toll

THE RISKS OF ISOLATION

Even the most resilient have found the going tough when it comes to navigating Sydney’s lockdown.

After a lifetime of hardship, Alex, who did want her surname published, lives out of a van after being made homeless.

Now in her mid-thirties, the mature age student relied on The Exodus Foundation’s premises to wash, recharge her electrical devices and to find a quiet corner to study for her master’s degree at university.

The lockdown put an end to that.

To add to her problems the university library shut its doors, cafes closed and her health deteriorated.

“As all those things shut down it meant that I didn’t have anywhere to study and because of the severity of the current rules my shower has gone, my ability to get laundry done has gone and if I need anything like a note pad or a pen or a plate, I have to pay a lot more.”

Then she got forced into quarantine after coming into contact with a COVID-19 case. She was fortunate not to be infected but the experience gave her an insight into mental health support as she received daily phone calls from psychologists.

Strengthened by so many years of personal adversity, she insisted she has no mental health issues of her own, but she acknowledges the importance of support for those in need and believes the pop-up clinics could play a valuable role, especially among the young.

“I think the intention is wonderful. There are people out there who are absolutely desperate for it and it will be an absolute lifesaver for them,” she says.

But she worries about the elderly for whom life is a constant physical and emotional struggle under the current constraints.

“There are people who have been so isolated by the ongoing lockdowns that they’ve got to the point of suicide.”

She recalls a fellow Loaves and Fishes regular who told her he was so depressed he had just overdosed on prescription medication. 

“He was such a lovely caring person at retirement age and just so traumatised that he had to be hospitalised and isolated for an extended period. The lockdown has absolutely devastated people across all spectrums.”

GLOBAL STRATEGY

While state and federal governments are spending millions on mental health support, not-for-profit agencies such as the Black Dog Institute monitor what is happening on the ground.

Professor Jennie Hudson, director of research, argues that the current mental health crisis, whether caused by the pandemic or other social issues, requires a global strategy.

She thinks there will be long-term impacts, especially on the younger generation and their “feelings about the future, the opportunities for academic development and exploring the world”.

“And I think governments have got to do something more immediate to address it,” she tells CNA.

Reassuringly, Professor McGorry from the University of Melbourne is optimistic that the so-called “shadow pandemic” can be resolved.

“These are really big challenges we are all facing,” he makes clear in a statement.

“On the other hand we have come through these sorts of crises many times before and people are generally resilient.”

 

 

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