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COFFS HARBOUR MP GURMESH SINGH
As I write this, Coffs Harbour is in a lockdown due to the evolving COVID-19 situation in regional NSW. Lockdowns have become an unfortunate but necessary part of our lives since the start of the pandemic a year and a half ago.
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ompared to decades ago, record number of phone calls. Australians increasingly live with Access to mental health services is available fewer people. The number of for those who need it. Beyond Blue (beyondblue. single-person or couple-only org.au) offers many services including an online households has risen while the chat service. They cater to a wide audience and number of couples with a dependant in the have a regular podcast as well. household has fallen. So too has the number of Children and young people can call the Kids “group households”. Helpline on 1800 55 1800 A particular focus of the or access the website at Technology can lockdown rules is to limit kidshelpline.com.au for also help us household-to-household an online chat and email combat loneliness and transmission of the virus, counselling. mental health issues. and thus many of the rules Technology can also allow a far greater level of help us combat loneliness Growing up in the days freedom among people and mental health issues. of rotary phones, I can from the same household. Growing up in the days remember thinking This has highlighted of rotary phones, I can that one day we will some of the biggest remember thinking that have video phones. challenges of the lockdown one day we will have video - loneliness and mental phones. Not only do we health. Despite living in the most connected now have video phones, but also access to free time in human history, many people are feeling platforms like Zoom and FaceTime. increasingly isolated. Lifeline, for one, has had a Not only are they great business tools, but
during the lockdown I’ve found myself catching up more regularly with friends in other cities and overseas because it’s a great excuse to get everyone together regardless of where they are. As the NSW Chief Psychiatrist Dr Murray Wright said in a recent interview, the COVID-19 lockdowns are “probably the most sustained and serious stress that many of us are going to face in our lifetimes”. Dr Wright also suggests daily exercise and monitoring diet, sleep and alcohol intake. If you’re struggling with your mental health, please reach out to family, friends, or seek help from the many services that are on offer. If you’re worried about someone else’s mental health, reach out and make sure they’re okay. Where to get help: Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 beyondblue.org.au Lifeline 13 11 14 lifeline.org.au Gidget Foundation 1300 851 758 gidgetfoundation.org.au NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 COFFS COAST
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