Exploring the challenges of seeking mental health support during the pandemic, managing anxiety and depression with mindfulness techniques, the effectiveness of online programs, increased demand for Kids Helpline's services, and various options for seeking help during the crisis.
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Quick takeaways
Many Australians are seeking mental health support for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of breaking the stigma around seeking help.
Mindfulness and grounding techniques, such as breathing exercises, are effective in managing anxiety and depression, with evidence supporting their role in therapy.
Deep dives
Reaching out for help during the pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Australians are seeking mental health support for the first time in their lives. This episode explores the challenges faced by ordinary individuals in finding help and the importance of breaking the stigma around reaching out. Eloise shares her experience of feeling overwhelmed and the positive impact of calling a mental health helpline. The episode emphasizes the availability of support services and highlights the effectiveness of telehealth and online programs in providing accessible and effective mental health support during these challenging times.
The role of mindfulness and breathing techniques
Expert counselors from Beyond Blue discuss the importance of mindfulness and grounding techniques in managing anxiety and depression during the pandemic. They explain how being mindful and present helps unhook our thoughts from fears of the future or the past. Breathing exercises are recommended for grounding and achieving present moment awareness. While some may have skepticism, evidence supports the effectiveness of mindfulness in anxiety and depression therapies. The episode underscores the value of online mental health programs and the potential for self-help tools to improve mental well-being.
Support services adapt to meet increasing demand
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant rise in mental health challenges, with Beyond Blue reporting a surge in engagements on their online forums and an increased demand for their support services. Mental health organizations are adapting to deliver telehealth and online counseling, with positive outcomes comparable to face-to-face therapy. The episode highlights the accessibility and varied options for mental health support, including phone helplines, text services, web chats, and online resources. The importance of intervention, even for first-time callers, is emphasized, along with the need to cater to vulnerable populations and expand support services to ensure no one is left behind.
If you’ve noticed a change in your mental well-being over the past few weeks you’re not alone. As the effects of the pandemic and the conditions of isolation begin to be take hold, many Australians are searching for support for the first time in their lives. So if you choose to ask for help, how do you take the first steps.
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