COVID-19's impact on communities is unprecedented. Those who are struggling with the effects of isolation, or as a result of being stood down from their job, need not feel alone.
There is support available - and ways to feel well, including through exercise, healthy eating and connecting with others.
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Support skills for businesses
AS businesses across the region have been forced to stand down staff and face an uncertain future in the wake of COVID-19, mental health support in the workplace has never been more important.
Yet many businesses don't have the time or resources to devote to this area.
Headspace can connect small businesses with free mental health training and support for their staff through its Support to Skills program.
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"It's an unusual and tough time for small business owners as they navigate the changing landscape of the workforce due to COVID-19, but support is available," Support to Skills small business liaison officer Cecilia Malone said.
And most importantly, in times like these, it's free.
Ms Malone said the program provides training, mentoring and resources to small business owners to help them create a mentally healthy work environment.
"The program also connects staff to free, local mental health coaching without the need for a GP referral," she said.
Many small businesses don't have the time or resources to devote to mental health and wellbeing services, so it's not uncommon for them to report that they feel ill-equipped to support young employees.
- Support to Skills small business liaison officer Cecilia Malone
"It is an important initiative for local small businesses, who bring significant economic and employment benefits to the region and who have been critically impacted by the stress and uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation.
"Many small businesses don't have the time or resources to devote to mental health and wellbeing services, so it's not uncommon for them to report that they feel ill-equipped to support young employees.
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"Combine this with the current climate and it's so important that we are able to support small businesses to create mentally healthy workplaces, for their interests and the interests of staff.
"With physical distancing guidelines, we're still able to provide that high level care remotely. We encourage local small businesses to reach out if they're interested; we're in this together."
Karla McDiarmid, the owner of Macquarie Medi Spas in Bathurst and Orange, which employ 17 staff, said all businesses should be looking after their employees.
The beauty industry has been one of the hardest hit in the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said her entire team were booked into a two-day mental health first-aid course in April, as it's a topic she feels is extremely important. She said the work headspace was doing, particularly in the current climate, was vital.
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"Headspace is an extremely important service right now for everyone in the community, especially our youth, many of whom will have lost their jobs, will have financial struggles and may have already battled mental health before the virus outbreak affected all of our lives," she said.
"Now, more than ever, is the time to reach out to your friends and colleagues to check they are okay and recommend services such as headspace for help and let them know they are not alone."
Staying connected is vital
WHILE some of the strict social gathering rules were relaxed last Friday, the NSW Government has warned it isn't "a licence to go wild and have massive parties".
After weeks of effective lockdown, groups of two adults - and their children if they have any - are able to visit other households for social gatherings.
However, this is still a long way from the norm, and experts continue to encourage people to stay connected, even if they can't see each other physically.
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"We've been advised to stay at home where possible, but staying at home doesn't mean we can't stay connected," headspace Dubbo community and youth engagement co-ordinator Amy Mines said.
"It's important to stay in contact with loved ones during this time and we're fortunate we have so much technology at our fingertips enabling us to do so."
She said there are many creative ways young people can stay connected, whether it be through online trivia and games with friends on apps such as Houseparty, to talking to friend groups via video chat or watching Netflix with mates via Netflix Party.
Staying at home doesn't mean we can't stay connected.
- headspace Dubbo community and youth engagement co-ordinator Amy Mines
She said headspace centres across the region were working tirelessly to create online content and safe spaces for young people to seek out the help they need or support parents and carers of young people during isolation.
"Headspace is an online service that offers one-on-one counselling, group chats and webinars for young people and their families. The headspace service is available seven days a week via eheadspace.org.au," Ms Mines said.
Seven good tips to help stay mentally healthy
WHAT people have experienced in the past few months is nothing like they have seen in their lifetime.
"It's definitely come out of nowhere and, as a result, everyone has experienced a massive change to their lifestyle," Orange headspace centre manager Kelly Dent said.
She said young people, in particular, are not used to isolation, with social connectivity a big part of their lives - "going to parties, connecting with friends and just catching up".
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She said up until last Friday, young people hadn't even been able to see their grandparents, which is a really important part of adolescence and young child socialisation.
She said people can go to the headspace website for information and support and, with the service taking both self-referrals and referrals from the GP, support is easily accessible and free.
Ms Dent said in these challenging times, there was also general advice that anyone in the community can adopt to help them stay mentally healthy: getting into life, learning skills for tough times, creating connections, eating well, staying active, getting enough sleep and cutting back on alcohol and other drugs.
In this environment it is so easy to just reach for the unhealthy snacks all the time, but eating well has a massive effect on mental health. It's the same with staying active.
- Orange headspace centre manager Kelly Dent
Ms Dent said everyone is encouraged to set daily goals and tasks.
"This can be something as simple as making the bed, or going for a walk, or doing something you really love to do, like drawing or painting," she said. "Keep doing the little things. They are what gets you through."
When it comes to learning skills for tough times, Ms Dent said it can be as easy as creating a journal or creating new routines, doing meditation or breathing exercises.
Ms Dent, like Amy Mines, said it was vital people stay connected in isolation.
"Get into video chats or join a Zoom group. You can even play online board games with friends," she said.
In stressful times, Ms Dent said making sure you're getting enough sleep is vital and said the final three points, eating well, exercising and staying active and limiting alcohol and drugs, cannot be underestimated.
"In this environment it is so easy to just reach for the unhealthy snacks all the time, but eating well has a massive effect on mental health," she said. "It's the same with staying active.
Being active releases endorphins in your body which make you feel happier; exercise just makes you feel better.
- Orange headspace centre manager Kelly Dent
"Being active releases endorphins in your body which make you feel happier; exercise just makes you feel better.
"It doesn't have to be vigorous. Go outside, get some fresh air, have a dance in your living room."
More information about headspace, which is continuing to provide mental health support for 12 to 25-year-olds during COVID-19, and its services, can be found at headpsace.org.au.
Other support services are also available, and are operating 24/7, including:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Kids' Helpline on 1800 55 1800
- Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
Important to be fit for purpose
EXERCISE and its capacity to improve mental health and wellbeing and increase confidence is well-documented.
That is why, amid a pandemic, people should do what they can to stay fit and healthy.
Bathurst Strength and Conditioning owner Kieran O'Dwyer knows the importance of staying well, especially in times of uncertainty.
That is why he designed an affordable four-week home program which can be used not only by clients, but the general community.
He came up with the idea of the home program after speaking with a friend, who is a school teacher, who was worried about students and the effect that no sport and non-structured school physical activity could have on their mental wellbeing.
Following the success of the program, he has just released a follow-up six-week program for home.
Exercise has a profound impact on the regulation of hormones and biological processes which positively affects our mental wellbeing.
- Bathurst Strength and Conditioning owner Kieran O'Dwyer
Mr O'Dwyer said it was extremely important people continued to eat well and exercise during this time of great upheaval and constant changes.
"Exercise can reduce the risk of depression and anxiety, relieve stress and tension, improve sleep and energy, improve self-esteem and wellbeing and increases confidence and resilience," he said.
"Exercise has a profound impact on the regulation of hormones and biological processes which positively affects our mental wellbeing.
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"Additionally, self-esteem can be improved through achievement and the daily habit of working through obstacles.
"We feel empowered and proud after every training session and this enforces our self-belief in our own capability and improves our confidence to take on the daily challenges of life."
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