New mental health fears
MENTAL health services are bracing for an increase in demand as Geelong returns to Stage 3 restrictions.
Agencies will collaborate on a proactive response targeted towards young people, following five male secondary school students in the region dying by suicide in a four-month period to mid-June.
Barwon Child, Youth and Family CEO Sandy Morrison said headspace Geelong saw an increasing number of young people contacting the service for support during the first Stage 3 restrictions and anticipated this trend would continue as restrictions increase for the second time.
“The recent increase in demand provided an opportunity for headspace to work in closer collaboration with BCYF’s Youth Services and a range of other partners, including the Department of Education and Training, Bellarine Community Health, City of Greater Geelong and private practitioners, in order to provide a broader response to widespread community concern,” Mr Morrison said.
“We will continue to strengthen our work with partners such as this for the best care of our community.”
Mr Morrison said the announcement regional Victoria would return to Stage 3 ‘stay at home’ restrictions would inevitably impact young people as they again experience changes in the way they study, work and connect with others.
“It is important that young people remember that feelings of anxiety, isolation or being overwhelmed are normal reactions in an uncertain time,” he said.
Mr Morrison said BCYF’s range of support services, including headspace Geelong, continued to support young people aged 12-25, their families and the wider community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and would continue to operate under the reinstated Stage 3 restrictions.
“During this time, we have adapted our services so that young people can seek support from our headspace Geelong services through our centre, online via video chat and over the phone,” he said.
He urged anyone struggling to, as best as possible, keep engaged with the activities that support their wellbeing and to seek support.
A state government spokeswoman said the government continued to work closely with the education sector, local mental health providers, headspace, the City of Greater Geelong and local health services to make sure it did everything to support every vulnerable young person and prevent any more tragic deaths.
Barwon Health clinical director of Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Services Associate Professor Steve Moylan said the number of people seeking help from its mental health services was slightly above trend with previous years. “If you are worried about someone, reach out to them so they know you are there,” Prof Moylan said. “Our mental health support services are available anytime.”
Western Victoria Primary Health network clinical spokeswoman and local GP Anne Stephenson said although the restrictions were necessary to curb coronavirus cases, there were likely to be high levels of many forms of stress throughout the community.
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