New support is on its way for people who are feeling lonely and disconnected because of COVID-19 isolation with an injection of $83,000 to the south-west.
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The Australian Loneliness Report 2018 found 1-in-4 Australians feel lonely, and local health services say this has has been further exacerbated by the pandemic.
To combat this "mental health crisis" Western Victoria Primary Health Network has allocated $83,000 to South West Healthcare to provide an immediate and localised response to the social and economic impacts of social isolation.
The initial focus of the funding will be on establishing partnerships and collaboration between primary health care providers and community groups, identifying the needs of the community and then building on activities that address the social and economic impacts of social isolation currently emerging.
Western Victoria PHN chief executive officer Rowena Clift says the projects will work to counteract the sense of loneliness triggered by the prolonged social distancing laws caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Although loneliness can affect all members of society, those living alone may be particularly at risk," she said.
"With 13 in every 100 Great South Coast residents living in single person households (ABS 2016) we understand how the COVID-19 social distancing laws could impact these people, with interruptions to activities that bring communities together such as football and netball.
"Community activities and services in partnership with primary health care providers to reconnect people with each other is what these grants are designed to encourage. There hasn't been a more important time to support the community to socially connect with others and improve overall health and wellbeing."
13 in every 100 Great South Coast residents live in single person households.
- Western Victoria PHN chief executive officer Rowena Clift
South West Healthcare will be part of a Regional Social Connection Leadership Group that will meet monthly to establish a model and Social Connection Charter for Western Victoria built on best available evidence and with community input.
They will be working with Wellways, Ballarat Community Health and Grampians Community Health to deliver this region-wide program.
South West Healthcare primary and community services executive director Kerryn Anderson said the funding was vital.
"We know how vital social connection is in achieving good health," she said.
"This grant will enable this work to expand across the Great South Coast region through the development of an on online Social Connection Information Hub.
"This hub will be the central point of information for the project. It will serve as a platform to re-establish social connection and participation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic."
If you, or someone you know needs help, please call 000, visit your nearest hospital emergency or use any of the crisis helplines:
- Lifeline - 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au
- Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467 | www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
- Beyond Blue Support Service - 1300 224 636
- Kids Helpline - 1800 551 800 | www.kidshelpline.com.au
- MensLine Australia - 1300 789 978 | www.mensline.org.au
- South West Health Care Primary Mental Health Team Warrnambool - 5564 6000 | After hours: 1800 808 284
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