Looking after your mental health can be a difficult task at the best of times, throw in a pandemic and it can feel impossible. As restrictions tightened from the outset of this pandemic, a spotlight was put on mental health and it was revealed that one in five Australians reported high levels of psychological distress. The number of mental health-related conditions have been amplified and reducing the stigma around what it means to struggle with stress and anxiety and reaching out for help has become crucial for navigating mental health in the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the biggest changes during the pandemic was adapting to how we live and work. During initial lockdowns, people adapted to working from home and trying to establish a work-life balance. Even after returning to work, the fear and uncertainty of COVID-19 outbreaks was creating more mental strain and made it difficult to regain balance in life. Mental disorders have become the leading cause of absences, replacing physical workplace injuries. The COVID-19 pandemic has created an increased risk of employees developing mental health issues and now more than ever employers need to create safe work environments and implement strategies to get ahead of the issues that can arise from fear and anxiety.
A focus was put on self-care and mental health during the pandemic and strategies and ways of coping were frequently offered over various social media platforms, hoping to assist with living with COVID-19. Although, if you are experiencing more severe and intense symptoms of mental stress, to a certain point, maintaining a healthy diet and taking deep breaths aren’t practical strategies anymore and the most beneficial thing you can do for your mental health and safety is to reach out and trust a qualified professional. Lifeskills Australia, trusted psychologists and counselling professionals, outline symptoms you may notice in yourself or a loved one that might indicate a decline in mental health.
- Anxiety constantly interfering with daily life
- Often feeling nervous and tensed
- Difficulty breathing and experiencing panic attacks
- Feeling weak and unmotivated
Experiencing fear and panic most of the timeOften people feel embarrassed and struggle to open up about mental health concerns to people close to them in fear of being judged. Approaching the conversation of mental health can be a minefield and can put a strain on relationships if friends, co-workers, or loved ones that are struggling, refuse help or insist they are fine. Giving people the option to talk about their fears and anxieties can be less intimidating when they can talk to a professional that is removed from their personal lives.
In 2020 and 2021 we saw a dramatic increase in the use and demand of mental health services and crisis and support organisations and record-high calls to helplines, indicating an increase in the need for mental health support and assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lifeskills Australia has qualified and experienced counsellors and psychologists that provide client-focused treatment and services to help with the fear and anxiety that can arise around the COVID-19 pandemic. Lifeskills Australia acknowledges COVID-19’s impact on mental health and is specially trained to help clients manage fears and anxieties and create effective ways to alleviate symptoms that can show up in their personal and professional lives. Offering fear and anxiety counselling services in Perth and Australia, Lifeskills Australia has a proven track record helping Perth families, FIFO workers and business owners and helping struggling individuals bring balance back to their lives.