THE COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a marathon, not a sprint, and the latest case numbers show the race is not over yet. But if you are feeling "pandemic fatigue", you are not alone, and the Mental Health Commission of NSW wants to hear from you.
It comes as Hunter New England Health recorded the highest number of COVID cases in the state in the 24 hours to 8pm Wednesday, with 60 cases confirmed across 10 local government areas.
Most of these were in Moree, which recorded 15 new cases, and 14 were in the Mid-Coast LGA. In the Hunter, there were five new cases in Port Stephens, four in Cessnock, three from Newcastle, and Lake Macquarie and Maitland recorded one new case each.
The health district is caring for 17 people with COVID-19 in hospital, with four of those in intensive care.
Hunter residents who have experienced impacts on their mental health and wellbeing during lockdowns have been invited to participate in an online survey by the Mental Health Commission of NSW.
Commissioner Catherine Lourey said they hoped to identify the most appropriate strategies to support mental health as we moved towards post-pandemic life.
"We want to hear what people went through in terms of their wellbeing, as we know there were many challenges experienced across the community, and this impacted people differently," Ms Lourey said.
"People with a lived experience of mental health issues, and those who care for them, may be feeling particularly vulnerable or isolated as we deal with 'pandemic fatigue' from the ongoing upheaval to our lives.
"We want to hear from people about their experiences first-hand, not only about the health and social implications of the 2021 restrictions... but also how they've managed their own and each other's wellbeing."
This is the commission's second survey on the mental health lessons from COVID-19 in the state.
Its 2020 survey found almost one-in-10 people were diagnosed with a new mental health issue, and about half of the population accessed support to help them deal with events related to the pandemic. About a third reported feeling more anxious, stressed, lonely and less in control. If you are 18 and over, visit bit.ly/mhc-covid-survey to participate.
