Beyond Blue is reminding NSW residents that the Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is available to support their mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic.
The free support service is available 24/7 at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au and 1800 512 348. Mental health professionals are available to provide immediate counselling, advice and referrals tailored to the pandemic.
Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service counsellors are specifically briefed about current public health advice and can also link callers to other relevant services such as financial aid, family violence support, youth-specific mental health support and official government COVID-19 information sources.
Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman said it was common for people to experience feelings of distress or anxiety during times of uncertainty.
"Beyond Blue is always available for anyone who may be distressed or concerned about the increase in cases and the latest restrictions announced for areas of Greater Sydney," Ms Harman said.
"We know from experience that lockdowns do challenge our mental health. At Beyond Blue, we often have more people contacting us when restrictions are put in place.
"During the most recent period of restrictions in Victoria, demand was up 24 per cent on the previous fortnight and this year, demand for Beyond Blue's support services remains between 20 and 30 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels.
"We want to reassure the community that despite these increases, we have skilled mental health professionals ready and available to support you through your experience, whatever that may be – there is no issue too big or too small.
"People sometimes think their issues aren't significant enough to reach out, but no matter what you're feeling, it can help to just talk things through and the Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is there to support everyone."
Ms Harman also encouraged people to seek out reliable sources of information about Australia's vaccination program.
