We are #InThisTogether - Australians’ mental health receives $74M boost to support during COVID-19 pandemic

Date published:
4:43

0:00 these can be the hardest of times for

0:02 any of us

0:04 anxiety isolation fear all

0:08 understandable we're also facing an

0:10 extraordinary challenge to keep caring

0:13 for each other to stay connected with

0:15 each other while remaining physically

0:18 distant and healthy while we distance

0:20 ourselves physically staying socially

0:24 and emotionally connected is more

0:26 important than ever connecting with each

0:29 other as a part of who we are

0:31 it's your nitrates in our culture and

0:33 it's essential for our mental health and

0:35 will be for some of us who already live

0:38 with a mental illness we will need more

0:40 support now from our loved ones and from

0:42 professional support services checking

0:45 in with family friends neighbors and

0:46 colleagues will help at this time

0:48 together we can help each other access

0:51 mental health support we've come

0:53 together to share some tips taking in

0:57 large amounts of negative news can make

0:59 us all feel anxious so pause the

1:02 scrolling and take a break from the all

1:04 day news cycle let's actually talk and

1:07 not just type using your phone or your

1:09 computer to hear familiar voices and see

1:11 familiar faces is a great way to deal

1:13 with isolation and help tackle those

1:16 difficult feelings in these difficult

1:18 times if we can help create a new

1:21 routine time for exercise time for sleep

1:26 time for healthy eating and time away

1:29 from the screen all of these things can

1:32 help each of us with our own mental

1:34 health and help each of us help others

1:37 with their mental health take regular

1:40 breaks from work news and even family

1:43 demands and my needs time to rest and

1:45 heal to reduce anxiety and stress you'll

1:48 really benefit from switching off get

1:50 sweaty even the smallest amount of

1:52 exercise is great for both your physical

1:54 and your mental health so whether you go

1:57 outside and walk run right well you can

2:00 also do a YouTube workout at home

2:02 financial stress is a reality for many

2:05 of us at the moment it impacts your

2:07 mental health and well-being taking

2:09 action will help you to feel more in

2:10 control talk to an expert we

2:13 can all make a difference and we are

2:15 let's continue to make decisions that

2:17 safeguard protect and care for our

2:19 family and friends and our community

2:22 your actions matter

2:24 please let children know it's okay for

2:26 them to be worried and talk about their

2:29 feelings as a parent make new routines

2:33 for the whole family at home make sure

2:36 there's time every day for fun

2:39 activities and challenge yourself and

2:41 your children to find Co bird free time

2:44 in every single day and lastly make sure

2:47 you reach out for support if you or your

2:50 children need it it can feel quite

2:52 lonely when we're at home so let's get

2:55 creative about staying connected

2:57 if you tech-savvy help somebody else in

2:59 your home to get online and stay

3:01 connected be kind to yourself

3:04 many of us are supporting others at the

3:06 moment monitor how you're feeling and

3:09 seek support when you need it

3:11 our essential work force is under

3:14 incredible pressure at the moment they

3:15 need our understanding and support make

3:18 sure you thank them support them and

3:20 ensure they seek help when they're not

3:22 coping reach out stay connected

3:24 some people may live alone or may not

3:27 have friends or family close by we're

3:29 all stronger when we build and maintain

3:31 our local communities and culture it's

3:33 okay not to feel okay we're all being

3:36 challenged by covert 19 we don't have to

3:40 go through this alone

3:41 support is important and services are

3:44 available to help everyone remember our

3:47 way is to take care of elders and check

3:49 in on them regularly check in on those

3:53 your neighbor who lives alone

3:56 those still recovering from bush fires

3:58 and flights those who are doing it tough

4:00 financially the young who need us more

4:03 than ever

4:04 families who are struggling to get

4:05 through their days those that have

4:07 fallen ill but if we can look out for

4:10 the health and mental health of our

4:12 health workers they can look out for the

4:15 health and mental health of all of us

4:18 let's stay connected let's be there

4:21 for each other be kind to one another

4:24 we're all in this together

4:33 you


 

Watch and share #InThisTogether videos here.

The National Mental Health Commission (the Commission) has today welcomed the Federal Government’s mental health response to COVID-19, with an initial commitment of $74million, as essential mental health services and support for all Australians.

In addition, the Government has introduced telehealth measures that will ensure Australians needing mental health support can access it both online and face to face. These measures are included in a $680million Telehealth package for health and allied health workers to deliver crucial care to all Australians during this challenging time.

To complement the investment in Australians’ mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19, the Commission has today launched #InThisTogether – a national online campaign which provides Australians with important mental health and wellbeing tips.

The Federal Government’s $74million mental health response today is an initial commitment including:

  • Awareness and prevention measures including a communications strategy on maintaining mental health during the pandemic
  • Early intervention measures including $10M to establish a COVID-19 support line and additional funding to expand existing support services
  • Targeted support for vulnerable Australians including:
    • a specific platform to support frontline health workers
    • expansion of the Community Visitors Scheme and Older Persons Advocacy Network for our older Australians
    • expansion of headspace Digital Work and Study Service for our young Australians
    • additional counselling services for new and expecting parents through PANDA’s National Helpline
    • development of mental health and wellbeing resources for Indigenous Australians through Gayaa Dhuwi
  • Continued support for a further 12 months for people with severe mental illness seeking to transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme

The Commission is encouraging Australians to embrace the global call of #InThisTogether, and has worked closely with mental health organisations across the country and experts in the field to develop a set of practical tips to support our mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19. The #InThisTogether campaign also calls on Australians to actively follow and share the tips while remaining socially and emotionally connected with family, friends, neighbours and their community. 

The Commission’s CEO, Ms Christine Morgan, said as nation, as a community and as individuals we are facing an extraordinary time and our mental health is as equally important as our physical health during this time.

“The COVID-19 pandemic, and the social and economic impacts of physical distancing and isolation measures, will have an impact our mental health and wellbeing – for some it will be more serious than others, and there are ways we can respond proactively,” Ms Morgan, said.

“The investment in Australians’ mental health and wellbeing by the Government for COVID-19 is the first and immediate response. We understand the impacts and consequences the virus is having on our lives, especially for those whose employment, financial, social and housing circumstances, and livelihoods are impacted. Now more than ever, we will need to prioritise our mental health, and there are a number of free services and supports available each and every day on the phone and online.”

The Commission’s Chair, Lucy Brogden, said the mental health and wellbeing of all Australians is a key pillar of the national response to COVID-19.

“The Government’s significant commitment to mental health during this pandemic signals to all Australians the importance the Government holds for their mental health and wellbeing,” said Mrs Brogden.

“For those of us who already live with mental ill health we will need more support now from loved ones and from professional support services. We need to care for one another, even when we are physically separated. We need to ensure that we are all OK. Through our connected strength we will come out the other side stronger. 

Connection with each other is a part of who we are, it is at the core of our community and culture, and crucial to our mental health and wellbeing. We are all In This Together.”

Media contact: Frank Coletta – 0468 987 295

For more information about the announcement visit www.health.gov.au. 

Helplines and Resources

Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service | 1800 512 348 | www.coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au 
Lifeline | 13 11 14  | www.lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service  | 1300 659 467 | www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Kids Helpline | 1800 55 1800 | www.kidshelp.com.au
MensLine Australia | 1300 78 99 78 | www.mensline.org.au

About #InThisTogether

The National Mental Health Commission has come together with mental health organisations, experts and leaders to develop #InThisTogether – a national conversation that everyone can join in on, sharing practical tips online to support the mental health and wellbeing of Australians during #COVID-19.

#InThisTogether includes videos and social media tiles to share online.

Watch and share videos here.
Download and share social media tiles below.

 

Thank you to participating organisations and representatives: Georgie Harman CEO, Beyond Blue | John Brogden AM Chairman, Lifeline | Ian Thorpe AM Patron and Board Member, Reachout | Benjamin Law Ambassador, Reachout | Chantel Bakac Youth Ambassador, headspace | Sam Mac Ambassador, RUOK? | Prof. Pat McGorry AO Executive Director, Orygen | Prof Helen Christensen AO Director, Black Dog Institute | Osher Günsberg Patron, SANE Australia | Prof Ian Hickie AM Director, The Brain and Mind Centre | The Hon. Greg Hunt Minister for Health | Christine Morgan CEO, National Mental Health Commission | Dr Mark Wenitong Public Health Medical Advisor, Apunipima Cape York Health Council | Lucy Brogden AM Chair, National Mental Health Commission | Jack Heath CEO, SANE Australia

Tags:
  • COVID-19
  • Support

Acknowledgement of Country

The Commission acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands throughout Australia.
We pay our respects to their clans, and to the elders, past and present, and acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community.

Diversity

The Commission is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services. The Commission welcomes all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Lived Experience

We acknowledge the individual and collective contributions of those with a lived and living experience of mental ill-health and suicide, and those who love, have loved and care for them. Each person’s journey is unique and a valued contribution to Australia’s commitment to mental health suicide prevention systems reform.