Since the pandemic descended two years ago, few, if any, communities have been untouched by some level of rising psychological distress.
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Online, text and telephone crisis support service Lifeline has reported a 40 per cent increase in calls, with the announcement of another lockdown in August correlating with the highest number of daily calls ever recorded in the organisation's history.
Lifeline Ballarat program manager Paul Huggett said the pandemic and its resulting economic and social consequences had placed the crisis support service under unprecedented pressure.
"We've seen a significant increase in the number of calls coming in as a result of the pandemic,' Mr Huggett said. "We anticipate that what's happening in Ballarat is happening elsewhere in Australia."
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To cope with the surge in demand, Lifeline Ballarat - which is part of community service organisation Uniting Vic.Tas - is seeking a new cohort of crisis supporter volunteers to answer calls from people experiencing distress.
Mr Huggett said crisis supporters were "the lifeblood" of the service, with volunteers only required to commit to a weekly three hour shift.
"Our crisis supporters help save lives every day," he said. "It's an incredibly enriching experience and many continue in the role for several years because it's just so rewarding."
"We don't have any particular prerequisites for a volunteer except that they be an adult; we like to gather volunteers from all walks of life, age, gender and background."
To ensure volunteers are equipped to handle the most challenging of calls, volunteers must undergo 180 hours of training, which combines suicide prevention strategies with life training.
Meanwhile, in a bid to ease growing pressure on emergency departments and general practices caused by soaring rates of depression and anxiety, Uniting Ballarat has partnered with the Victorian government to provide a one stop mental health and wellbeing hub.
The hub, located at 105 Dana Street, is one of 23 established across the state by the Victorian government to broaden community access to free and immediate mental health and wellbeing support.
The hub acts as local 'front door' to a wide range of support services, from mental health support for those experiencing psychological distress, through to that specific to discrete problems such as addiction, homelessness or housing insecurity and loneliness.
To maximise the hub's outreach, Uniting Vic.Tas mental health and disability services senior manager Michelle Freeman said its services were provided through a range of in-person, telehealth and online settings.
"The services are available to anyone anywhere experiencing mental health concerns and requiring support - there is no eligibility requirement," Ms Freeman said.
"[The support provided is] tailored to a person's individual needs from early intervention recovery and wellbeing work to specialist referrals."
Walk-ins are accepted at the Ballarat hub or appointments can be arranged by phoning 1300 375 330. For 24-hour crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 (6pm to midnight) or chat online (7pm-midnight) at www.lifeline.org.au.
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If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.
