With Victoria undergoing its sixth lockdown, residents in rural areas of the state are waiting up to three months to see a psychologist, as the strain of repeated stay-at-home orders continues to grow.
Boort psychologist Naomi Malone said that, in every lockdown, more people sought help, and waiting times had blown out.
"With our little practice, we usually get one or two enquiries a day, but [during] the last lockdown we had 30 enquiries a week," Dr Malone said.
Dr Malone runs a psychology practice in her home town, which also services a wide range of rural towns including Pyramid Hill, Kerang, Quambatook, Wedderburn, Charlton, Wycheproof, Barham, Cohuna and Inglewood.
"It's exceptionally hard at the moment," she said. "I think we're at the point where more people are reaching out because people are coming on board to the [public] messaging about needing help."
While her business has nine mental health specialists, Dr Malone said she was advertising for more counsellors and psychologists to join her practice.
"The way that we are trying to manage the wait times is by bringing in new staff," Dr Malone said.
However, in a glimmer of hope, Dr Malone said telehealth and online support were often a good intermediate solution while people wait for an appointment.
Australia-wide problem
Australian Psychological Society's CEO, Dr Zena Burgess, said the shortage of mental health support was being felt across regional Australia.
"There's a shortage across Australia. It shouldn't be the case," Dr Burgess said.
"I think with [COVID-19], people have put off getting help for some of their emotional and psychological issues and, with lockdowns happening frequently, some of those issues come to the forefront."
Dr Burgess said that, despite the wait, people should still book an appointment.
"Knowing that you've got an appointment coming up, is a comfort," she said.
Dr Burgess added that her organisation, and others, were lobbying the federal government to do more to get mental health workers into regional areas.
