COVID-19 has impacted us all – and many people have felt it affect their mental health and wellbeing.

And the bushfires and floods prior to the pandemic hitting our shores also had a devastating effect on the mental health of millions of Australians.

When much of the country was forced into lockdown, with some facing isolation and returning Australians dealing with quarantine, more and more of us became worried, anxious, and overwhelmed by the constantly changing alerts and media coverage regarding the spread of the virus.

Sudden loss of employment and social interaction, financial worries, relationship struggles, restriction of movement, and an inability to see friends and loved ones have all resulted in stress, anger, and confusion for many Australians.

Coupled with the unknown future and plans for happy events cancelled at the last minute due to snap lockdowns, it’s no wonder most of us feel like we’re floundering.

Thankfully, Australians are reaching out for help to regain and maintain their mental health.

The Banyans Health and Wellness quarterly report April to June 2021 showed a 236% surge in enquiries regarding mental health, with 422 people seeking assistance compared with 179 in the previous period.

The Australian Government provided almost 11.5 million MBS-subsidised mental health-related services between March 2020 and January 2021.

Lifeline received 85,000 calls from December 2020 to January 2021 an increase of 10% from the same period in 2020, and 21.4% higher than similar dates in 2019.

Between the same dates, Beyond Blue received 22,000 contacts, a jump of 22.7% from the same time in 2020, and up 29.6% from a similar period in 2019.

If you feel your need help with your mental health or you think someone in your family would benefit from professional advice, please contact The Banyans Specialist Clinics.