MICHAEL ROWLAND:
It is two years since Australia's first COVID case was detected in Melbourne in a development that, of course, was soon to turn all of our lives upside down. So, how are we handling the impact of this extended pandemic? We're joined now by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Mental Health, Dr Ruth Vine. Dr Vine, good morning. Two years on, and you've studied this very closely of course, how do you assess the mental health impact of the pandemic?
RUTH VINE:
Well, thank you for having me, and it is two years, so we're entering our third year. Look, the mental health impact has been very significant. We've seen that in lots of ways. I mean, we've seen it in the increased demand on various help lines, we've seen it in increased presentations to emergency departments, we've seen an impact particularly in our young folk. And I think we also, of course, have seen a lot still evolving and particularly now, we're facing the school year and perhaps one of the most difficult things for people to tolerate has been that difficulty in planning, the lack of certainty.
And so probably one of the most important things has been how we communicate and the information provided. But we have seen significant levels of distress and I'm sure people are now enduring what we call pandemic fatigue and feeling at times increasingly irritable and frustrated and just trying to be kind to yourself and others and following those basic steps of sleep, exercise, social connectedness, and making sure you get good information but don't stay trapped to your social media for starters.
MICHAEL ROWLAND:
Yeah, stay off the doom scrolling. Easier said than done though.
Hey, so, Dr Vine, how concerned are you and authorities about some of these mental health impacts being long lasting?
RUTH VINE:
Look, I think it is too soon to say. Clearly we're looking at what's happening internationally as well as nationally. And I would also say that we as humans are partic- are amazingly resilient. We are able to bounce back. But I think, for instance, things like getting kids back to school, or getting the normal routine, being able to plan, I think will be the important part of that recovery. It's fantastic that we're seeing some of the hospitalisations and other figures plateauing now and hopefully, you know, we can say we're over the worst and, of course, vaccination numbers are looking terrific. So, look, I'm going to say I'm optimistic that we can use our resilience and we can seek help when we need it and get benefit from that help, but I would also say that we've still got a long way to go.
MICHAEL ROWLAND:
Yeah. And just before you go, you mention vaccination, how important is that, in your view, to improving people's state of mind?
RUTH VINE:
Look, a couple of things about that. I mean, clearly as an individual, we know from who we're seeing in hospital and we know from who we're seeing, particularly in intensive care, that it's the people who are not vaccinated or people who have other morbidities that are getting the most sick. So as an individual, it may not me getting COVID, but it will stop me and help me to be less sick with COVID. It will also help me to spread less. And it will help those around me feel more confident about being with me. So, look, I cannot emphasis enough to people to get vaccinated. I mean, we've got off to a great start with our young people getting vaccinated. I think yesterday, the fourth vaccine was announced as being available. So, you know, we'll increase the range. So, yeah, please get out there, get vaccinated.
MICHAEL ROWLAND:
Great advice. Ruth Vine, thank you, and let's hope we're not here in 12 months marking the third anniversary.
RUTH VINE:
Fingers crossed. Thank you.
MICHAEL ROWLAND:
Thank you.