Episode 45: Pressures on mental health and support service helplines during COVID-19

Get Real: Talking mental health & disability

We’re continuing our conversations about the mental health system, both in Victoria and in other states and the organisations that form part of this essential health service.

We know that the mental health system in Victoria, and in the other states and territories of Australia were already struggling to cope with demand, and that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly blown out those pressures. Mental health support organisations are seeing steep increases in the requests for support, in particular crisis helplines and support referral services.

Joining host Robyn Haydon for this episode is ermha365 CEO Karenza Louis-Smith to talk with guests Joe Ball, CEO of Switchboard Victoria and Nick Tebbey, National Executive Officer of Relationships Australia about the pressures on mental health support services, in particular crisis lines and referral services during COVID-19.

Joe makes the point that the high level of demand for mental health services, particularly during the past two years of the pandemic, was a sign that people really needed help.

“I feel like it's not necessarily that more people feel like they can reach out, I think it's more that people feel like they have to reach out,” Joe said.

“I think that people only call helplines, when they really, really need to, and far too many people don't call them when they really, really need to.”

Nick thinks there has also been a shift in access to services because there is more of an acceptability in talking about our mental health.

“COVID gave us a reason to talk about mental health that was slightly different from anything we've had before. And so suddenly, we did see more conversations, more happening in the mainstream media, more happening in politics…to invest more heavily in mental health supports.”

About our guests

Joe Ball is CEO of Switchboard Victoria, a community-based not for profit organisation providing a peer driven service for LGBTIQA+ communities and their allies, friends, support workers and families, including Rainbow Door, a free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information and support. Switchboard is also the Victorian Partner of the national crisis service QLife.

Nick Tebbey is the National Executive Officer of Relationships Australia a not-for-profit national provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities.

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode, you can call:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

Rainbow Door on 1800 729 367

QLIFE can be contacted on 1800 184 527

Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277

ermha365 provides a range of mental health services designed to help people experiencing mental health challenges to thrive in the community.