The rise of COVID-19 and the lockdowns that followed meant concern for not only the physical health of Melbourne’s residents but their mental health, too.
The pandemic caused uncertainty, and lockdowns meant a significant increase in isolation, anxiety and loneliness, unlike any other time in recent history.
Melbourne experienced extended lockdown periods in comparison to the rest of Australia. During this time, our healthcare system faced an unprecedented demand.
As everyone was experiencing the same restrictions, it meant there was intense pressure on the mental health sector. This article showcases key statistics on the mental health trends and impact following the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns experienced by Melbourne residents.
General Mental Health Trends in Melbourne Due to COVID-19
2020 was an unprecedented time for Melbourne residents. The pandemic, isolation caused by lockdowns, and economic uncertainties caused anxieties to rise. Due to the universal circumstances seen across Melbourne, many people began experiencing feelings of loneliness, anxiety, depression and isolation.
This significant increase brought mental health and well-being to the forefront of Melbournians’ minds. More than ever, a large number of Australians needed mental health support and care.
- The HILDA Survey revealed that COVID-19 accelerated the declining mental health trend among young adults. Some of the most significant falls were in the 15-24 and 25-34 age groups.
- Melbourne also contained the highest proportion of people “reporting life under the pandemic was much worse” with a staggering figure of 33.1%.
In comparison, the HILDA Survey reported that 25.4% of people in non-urban Victoria said life had gotten much worse due to the pandemic. Notably, residents of Western Australia were “the least likely to report life had gotten much worse due to the pandemic.” This demonstrates that the heavier restrictions imposed on Melbourne accelerated this decline in mental well-being.
Post-lockdown studies have also found existing gender disparities in mental health impacts during this period.
- Victorian women experienced a more prominent “mental health decline compared to the rest of Australia during the 2020 lockdowns”.
According to The Lancet Public Health, lockdowns can “exaggerate existing inequalities in the responsibility for household and caring duties”. These imbalances became more apparent, causing Victorian women to feel the strain and inequality in their partnerships.
While people were stuck at home, it left more time for mental health concerns to be brought to the forefront. A decline in mental well-being often results in behavioural responses. Victoria saw an increase in the use of coping mechanisms in response to lockdown restrictions and social isolation.
- A study by the Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, identified an increase in coping strategies such as increased consumption of alcohol.
Due to the lengthier lockdown period, Victorians were forced to confront the negative impacts on their mental health.
The figures showcase the large number of people in Victoria experiencing mental health difficulties as a result of the pandemic.
Anxiety and Depression
- The World Health Organisation reported a 25% increase in the global prevalence of anxiety and depression during the first year of the pandemic.
Many Victorian households with children struggled with the shift in routine and access to childcare and support. Due to the closure of schools and other childcare facilities, many parents struggled to balance working from home while looking after their children and managing their schooling.
- Between 22-47% of Victorian parents reported moderate to severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress during the second lockdown.
It wasn’t just parents whose mental health was impacted during Melbourne’s lockdowns, the younger population also faced a decline in their mental well-being due to the pandemic.
According to the COVID-19 Unmasked survey, conducted by the University of Melbourne, Griffith University and the Queensland Centre for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health, the mental health of young Victorian children was ‘impacted more than other states’.
Victoria’s experience of longer lockdowns meant more disruption to regular schooling and feelings of isolation as children were separated from their peers and extended family.
- 15-20% of Victorian children exhibited mild to moderate emotional or behavioural difficulties, including anxiety and depression, during the pandemic.
- “Children who experienced the second lockdown in Victoria were two to five times more likely to show emotional and behavioural difficulties than children in the other states.”
- In the COVID-19 Unmasked survey, anxiety was the “most common” mental health concern for children. There was also a “marked increase of 21% in high-to-very-high depression symptoms”.
The research has demonstrated that while Australians fared better than many other countries during the pandemic, Victorian households were undoubtedly hit the hardest from a mental health perspective in comparison to other states, and a greater need for anxiety and depression treatment arose.
Social Isolation and Loneliness
- A staggering 45% of Australians reported feeling lonely in April 2020, the “highest level recorded since the start of the pandemic”.
- It was also reported that throughout the lockdown period, “people aged 18-24 years were more likely than any other age group to report the highest levels of loneliness”.
- Working from home and the loss of social connection were factors responsible for the worsening mental health of Australians, the HILDA Survey of 2022 reported.
However, some positive figures were reported from this period. Many Australian couples in the same household said the increased time spent together because of the pandemic strengthened their relationship.
- 19.1% of couples reported the pandemic improved their relationship, and only 6.6% said it worsened it.
The extended period of COVID-19 restrictions, however, undoubtedly caused a reduction in mental well-being for Victoria as the population was impacted heavily by the loneliness caused by lockdown restrictions.
As Victoria experienced the quickest onset of longer lockdowns, it coincides with these reported figures that saw a decline in the state’s mental well-being and an increased need for mental health support. The loss of connection and social isolation for a lengthened period was a new difficulty for Melbourne’s population.
Impact on Specific Demographics
University Students
- Both international and local university students in Australia experienced significant mental health challenges during the pandemic.
Healthcare Workers
- Around 25% of frontline healthcare workers in Victorian hospitals reported increased psychological distress symptoms during the pandemic.
This has been attributed to their continuous high exposure rates to COVID-19 and the increasing demand in the sector due to a high number of hospitalisations.
Low-Income Groups
- The World Health Organisation reported that financial stress during the pandemic exacerbated mental health issues among low-income individuals.
Children and Adolescents
- 74% of young people said their mental health was “worse since the outbreak of COVID-19”.
- 77% of young people surveyed reported “a negative impact on their work, study, or financial situation.”
- 50% of young people reported that COVID-19 impacted their confidence towards achieving their future goals.
The pandemic caused uncertainty and instability around job prospects and education. Young people who planned to travel, work, or study interstate or overseas suddenly had to delay or change their plans.
Increase in Therapy & Mental Health Service Demand
Globally, the demand for mental health services during the pandemic had a significant increase. WHO reported on this demand, and how it led to longer wait times and strained resources.
- “Between 16 March 2020 and 27 June 2021, almost 17.6 million MBS subsidised mental health-related services were processed” the Australian Insititute of Health and Welfare reported.
- “MBS mental health services delivered via telephone or videoconference peaked during April 2020 when about half of the MBS mental health services were delivered via telehealth. In the four weeks to 27 June 2021, 22.0% of MBS mental health services were delivered via telehealth.”
The rapid increase in demand for mental health support placed a strain on the healthcare system throughout Victoria. Waiting times to see mental health professionals increased and under-resourced areas became more apparent.
This initial influx of people requiring mental health care was unexpected and forced the sector to react. It also caused an acceleration of telehealth services for mental health support. This made therapy more accessible for people in remote communities.
This period has reshaped our health care system in Australia, with psychologists now more frequently offering telehealth appointments for flexible care.
The demand for mental health services lasted well beyond the initial 2020 lockdown period. The AIHW also reported that in the four weeks to 27 June 2021:
– Lifeline had 81,033 calls offered, up 2.9% and 19.1% from the same periods in 2020 and 2019 respectively.
– Kids Helpline received 27.807 answerable contact attempts, down 4.5% and up 7.5% from the same periods in 202 and 2019 respectively.
– Beyond Blue received 23,326 contacts, down 5.5% and up 11.0% from the same periods in 2020 and 2019 respectively.
Recovery and Future Outlook
The pandemic forced us to face new challenges in an uncertain time. There was a significant increase in the need for mental health resources, and the way we could access these had to adapt. With Melbourne experiencing prolonged periods of lockdowns, unsurprisingly, its population had a spike in poor mental health.
In response, we’ve seen clear progress in our approach to mental health treatment and making it more accessible. The Australian Government has been introducing national policies and plans to guide tangible action for mental health advocacy, including:
- The National Mental Health Policy: A commitment to continuously improve Australia’s mental health system.
- The National Mental Health and Wellbeing Pandemic Response Plan: To support Australians’ mental health following the pandemic.
- The National Mental Health Workforce Strategy 2022-2032: Giving guidance and goals for workplaces to provide mental health treatment and support to meet their employees’ needs.
Psychologists and other mental health support workers are also providing care to be more readily accessible via telehealth or online appointments. This makes access to therapy and support much easier for those in remote communities or those unable to attend in-person sessions.
There are many online resources for mental health support, some recommended by the National Disability Services are:
– Lifeline
As we move past the pandemic years, mental health concerns are still common, pandemic-related or otherwise. The most important thing to know is you do not have to deal with mental health difficulties alone, and help is available to you.
If you want to get started with an experienced psychologist in South Yarra, Melbourne, contact Fortitude Wellbeing.
Our principal psychologist, Melissa Bell, has over eighteen years of experience and offers evidence-based therapy for various mental health concerns.
To book your first appointment, start by filling out our Contact Form or giving us a call.