‘Take control’

Awimmera

care provider anticipating long-lasting psychological impacts due to COVID-19 is urging people to ‘take their mental health seriously’.

Uniting Wimmera is encouraging residents to seek help as early as possible as the state continues to cautiously emerge from the lockdown.

Mental health and disability manager Michelle Freeman said while life returned to ‘normal’, the psychological impact of the pandemic could last for years.

“We’re anticipating a rise in people with mental-health issues right across the Wimmera due to COVID-19 and we’re already looking at increasing our support staff to cope with the demand,” she said.

“We feel like this is the calm before the storm. Isolation is difficult for most of us, but if you have mentalhealth issues, it can further impact on your ability to transition back into the community.”

Ms Freeman said it was likely Covid-19-related restrictions would affect people’s mental wellbeing.

“When you add in fears about health, not being able to see friends and family, and financial stress, it can be a real struggle,” she said.

“As a community we’re slowly reopening and getting into ‘the new normal’, but if you have depression and anxiety, something as simple as stepping outside the house might be extremely challenging.”

Uniting Wimmera provides a range of mental-health and disability support programs across the region.

People can call 5362 4000 or visit www.unitingvictas.org.au/locations/ uniting-wimmera for more information.