Mental health problems doubled
A national survey to understand the mental health impact of COVID-19 has shown that mental health problems have at least doubled since the start of lockdown.
Although there is an increase of psychological symptoms for people in general, there are five groups that are especially vulnerable, which include:
People living in the least resourced communities, including in rural areas in the lowest socioeconomic areas, or those unemployed prior the pandemic;
People who have lost a job, or opportunities to study, a number of them young adults;
People living alone who lack the opportunity for day-to-day interactions;
LGBTQ+ and other minority groups who are already marginalised;
Unpaid carers to children or other dependent family members, mostly women.
All these categories of people are well represented in our beloved community.
There is no doubt that we are living in an unprecedented time and need to explore innovative ideas to respond quickly and appropriately for the collective wellbeing of our communities.
At a time like this, we need an increase in mental health services, and also a public mental health approach to help recover from the psychological impact of the pandemic.
It is time that we start thinking about what will be useful for our community collectively. We need to look at strategies to connect with vulnerable people in our community, and those experiencing psychological issues as a result of COVID-19.
Reference: Mental health of people in Australia in the first month of COVID-19 restrictions: a national survey available at https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2020/men tal-health-people-australia-first-monthcovid-19-restrictions-national-survey
Farhat Firdous, Warragul
David Clarke mentioned that only 1.16 per cent of Central Highlands Mountain Ash is 80 years or older which is wrong. The Mountain Ash dominating the Central Highlands is regrowth from the 1939 fires which makes it 81 years old, the remainder being regeneration after harvesting or recent fires.
Parks and reserves make up 94 per cent of our Public Native Forest Estate and only six per cent is available for timber production on a sustainable basis.
To suggest that VicForest’s systems “involve the unsustainable slaughter of endangered animals” maybe a clever attempt to mislead by using emotive language, but it is completely wrong.
Worse still it is an insult to VicForest’s dedicated, competent and highly skilled forest supervisors at Noojee and elsewhere, who diligently undertake pre harvesting coupe surveys, that are audited by DEWLP before harvesting commences and during logging operations.
The insinuation that VicForests has only one customer, Australian Paper, of course is grossly untrue. This is a blatant misrepresentation of reality. In Noojee (David’s home town) Brown’s Sawmills employ about 50 people and sawmills in Powelltown, Longwarry, Yarra Junction, Gladysdale, Wesburn, Heyfield, Bairnsdale, Nowa Nowa, Newmerrella, Swifts Creek, Dandenong, Benalla and Drouin West.
All of these modern well equipped businesses, value add, producing high quality hard wood product for local and interstate markets in building, manufacturing and furniture. Of course David may well be happier to import this product from overseas where in many cases trees are not regrown, rather than sustain
A huge bouquet to Voyage Fitness Warragul for the outdoor and livestream classes provided before gyms opened. These were made available to members free of charge, even though gym memberships were suspended. It was a wonderful gesture and an example of what a great business it is. Well done.
Tons of bricks to those people in our community who do not follow social distancing guidelines. two photos featured in The Gazette on June 23 that show people disregarding this recommendation. Please everybody, don't be selfish and inconsiderate. Social distance and help keep us all safe.
Bricks to a large group of cyclists gathered on the footpath in Palmerston St on Sunday and not practicing social distancing.
Bouquets for the return of the mobile library to Trafalgar. ably harvest a small area of our own native forest each year, so we can continue to support the economic and social fabric of our country communities.
Gary Blackwood, Member for Narracan Shadow Assistant Minister for Forestry