Almost half of all Australians will experience mental illness at some point in their life. With the COVID-19 pandemic currently wreaking havoc on jobs, relationships, education and the economy, a spotlight on the mental health of our communities is timely.
Yesterday was Social Justice Sunday, which marked the release of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) annual Social Justice Statement. This year the Statement is titled ‘To Live Life to the Full: Mental Health in Australia Today’; which resonates with CatholicCare in more ways than one.
Meeting the needs, and supporting the mental health, of the most marginalised members of our community has been a hallmark of CatholicCare’s work for 85 years, from its earliest days ministering support to impoverished families who were struggling to make ends meet during the Great Depression.
Today, it is the impacts of a pandemic that is keeping CatholicCare busy, mobilising teleservices to meet the increased demand for counselling and emergency relief, and to continue providing pastoral care for people in prisons and hospitals.
COVID-19 has also been particularly stressful for school students who have spent months learning at home while isolated from their friends.
“We have found that anxiety issues, and social isolation have been common presenting issues for young people,” said Sarah Judde, Psychologist and a Team Leader of the Schools Unit.
“COVID-19 has been de-stabilizing for many young people with their usual and familiar routines impacted; in particular, school closures and the absence of direct support and availability of their teachers.”
“Social resources and supports aren't necessarily as available to young people at the moment either, which many have found to be very challenging.”
“The Schools Unit team have had a very important role supporting young people with these ongoing challenges, and providing a valuable bridge between home and school.”
The team have adapted well to working in different ways during COVID-19. Some have maintained direct service delivery by remaining on-site at their schools, however the majority have shifted to using Zoom and telephone to ensure the broadest reach of support can be made available to students and their families.
“Despite working in very different ways at present, we have been able to maintain the provision of mental health support, assisting young people to feel heard, connected and supported.”
“Without the provision of support, young people may otherwise remain vulnerable to experiencing longer-term and complex mental health concerns, with implications for their future relationships, education and employment prospects.”
Which brings us back to the title of this year’s Social Justice Statement: “To Live Life to the Full” – which is echoed in CatholicCare’s Vision statement.
CatholicCare welcomes the statement, and the commitment to make mental health a priority.
While supporting the disadvantaged and marginalised will always be a focus for CatholicCare’s work, we also know that in the area of mental health, early intervention - for children and adults alike - can make a huge difference; a difference between a life of missed opportunities and ‘life to the full’.
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