Increased demand in mental health service and the shifting client needs have proved challenging for healthcare providers during the pandemic.
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The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has collected data that it reports showing "a rise in the use of crisis lines and mental health services since the onset of COVID-19".
Ararat psychologist Bonnie Hendriks said mental health services in the region were struggling to meet demand before the pandemic.
"In rural areas there have never been enough services for people with mental illness," she said.
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"Almost all of us psychologists in Ararat have had to close our books.
"I closed up my books in February and still get about five calls a week from people wanting to book appointments."
Ms Hendriks said the pandemic had exacerbated certain problems people had been experiencing.
"Being in a rural area, the level of social isolation people experience is often worse in general," she said.
"But since the pandemic a lot of people have become more isolated and haven't been able to access the same social supports."
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Grampians Community Health acting program leader for business growth Jemima Bibby said these include psychological therapy, community health, and family violence.
She said they reported people's needs changing throughout the pandemic.
"The need from consumers changed between the first and second lockdown," she said.
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"As things approach COVID-normal we're also seeing increased anxiety around return to social practices, remaining COVID-safe, and what COVID-normal will look like.
"The staff feedback was also that people required more regular contact."
Ms Bibby said there had been an increased demand for mental health support.
"Our community health counsellors reported an increase in referrals around increased depression, anxiety, and social isolation, and also an increase in the number of referrals citing suicidal ideation," she said.
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"We have a six-month waitlist for our community health counsellor, which is similar to what psychologists are reporting in Horsham.
"We were probably up to two to three months before COVID, four months at most, but certainly not six months.
"We're finding that other service providers are in the same boat. We try to refer on and link into other services but everyone is experiencing the increased demand."
"It's about continual engagement with the peak bodies and funding departments, and advocating for consumers in the area," she said.
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"Obviously we've just had the commission into mental health services so we're expecting across the sector there will be more funding available and that services are increased. But we still don't know, those are just the recommendations."
"There are some initiatives that have come through.
"There's the HeadtoHelp in Ballarat (which is also available across the Wimmera).
"We also have funding for the Social Connections program which offers non-clinical referrals for adults who are socially isolated.
"We also have funding for the Older Australians initiative which is similar but solely focused on older Australians.
"So there's some programs coming out helping people start to access the community again. These are broader and generally for socially isolated people and not those with specific conditions."
If you or someone you know has been impacted by this story, help and support is available.
- Lifeline on 13 11 14, send a text to 0477 13 11 14 or chat online via the Lifeline website.
- Beyond Blue phone 1300 22 4436 or chat online via the Beyond Blue website.
- Kids Help Line on 1800 55 1800 or visit their website.
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
- MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78 or www.mensline.org.au
- In an emergency call 000.
Do you have a story to share? Get in touch - klaus.nannestad@austcommunitymedia.com.au