THE MENTAL toll from prolonged pandemic conditions is taking a toll on the city's health services and Ballarat's health chief is calling for people to look to RU OK? Day as a prompt to keep checking in and supporting each other.
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Ballarat Health Services chief Dale Fraser said fatigue in lockdowns was showing with a rise for mental health support for mild to severe issues arising or exacerbated amid restrictions. This includes the immense pressure felt among BHS teams.
Mr Fraser said the national RU OK? Day had never felt more relevant than now, but warned this needed to be more than one day. He hoped the national awareness movement would reignite a broader ongoing response to support each other towards a COVID normal.
We're all doing it tough in various ways and forms and Thursday is a very good opportunity to pick up the phone...get in touch with someone you care for and make sure you ask them the question.
- Dale Fraser, Ballarat Health Services chief executive officer
"We're all doing it tough in various ways and forms and Thursday is a very good opportunity to pick up the phone and make a call, send a text, do an email, Skype - get in touch with someone you care for and make sure you ask them the question. You never know that question could be a life-saver," Mr Fraser said.
"It's a tough time for everybody and I think the community's been remarkably resilient. We are seeing as a community an increase in demand for mental health services. This is not just unique to Ballarat. This is an unheralded community impact for all."
Mr Fraser said the state government's roadmap to a COVID normal, announced on Sunday, should give some hope. He said regional Victoria's good record could offer a chance for an even quicker end to restrictions.
There was one known active COVID-19 case in Ballarat on Tuesday. BHS has not been treating any infected persons in Ballarat this week but Mr Fraser said the health service was offering support to health teams facing cases in Horsham and Bacchus Marsh.
Regional Victoria's 14-day average for new cases also fell to 4.9 per day on Tuesday. This is the first part of criteria to reaching the government's step three, which offers some easing to social restrictions.
The other criteria that must be met - no mystery cases in the regions for 14 days - is a figure not yet released by the government.
Step two, from September 14, will allow single people who live alone and single parents of children under-18, who live with no other adults, to create a social bubble. Under the bubble, they can elect one adult who is allowed to visit their home.
EXPLAINERS
Mr Fraser said it was important as a community to keep banding together and as a health service to ensure enough supports were in place so no-one fell behind in mental health needs.
The same message goes in regards to BHS staff.
Leading medical health bodies have made clear health workers need clear communication from health services and the state government to protect against a mental health crisis within their ranks.
Australian Medical Association Victoria's emergency medicine lead Sarah Whitelaw told The Courier last month information for staff, including pandemic plans, was vital.
Mr Fraser said BHS' virus response plan had been tested twice internally, with the infection infiltrating an aged care facility and an inpatient rehabilitation ward.
But Mr Fraser said the health service was also conscious about mental health plan for all staff that was flexible to change with feedback.
It's a challenge for (all Ballarat health workers) because this has gone on for a long period of time and there's no immediate end to what may be.
- Dale Fraser, Ballarat Health Services chief
"It's a challenge for us all because this has gone on for a long period of time and there's no immediate end to what may be," Mr Fraser said.
"We took a very early role in getting a group together to look at the health and well-being needs of our staff. They've developed a range of resources to use, not only mental support but might be physical support, like folk who need more exercise, or nutrition support...
"Clearly we do have staff under a lot of stress and fatigue and we'll continue to look at what we can do beyond what already done to ensure staff have access to the most appropriate supports they can get."
Mr Fraser urged the community to check-in with healthcare workers and ask 'are you okay?'
If you or someone you know is in need of crisis support, phone Lifeline 13 11 14.
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