COVID pandemic saw a ‘shift’ in Australians’ understanding of mental health

National Mental Health Commission CEO Christine Morgan says the COVID-19 pandemic shone a spotlight on the need to access mental health services as it showed Australians their mental health “is as much a part of us as our physical health.” Better mental health support for expectant mothers will be among several measures in tomorrow’s budget designed to improve women’s health. “Just as we expect to get unwell physically, I think every Australian now realizes that their mental wellbeing can be negatively impacted,” Ms Morgan said. She told Sky News a second realisation from the pandemic was “it actually makes a difference if we reach out for help because actually if you get some services for your mental illness, your mental unwellness you actually get better”. “That shift in the understanding of Australians of their mental health and wellbeing and the fact that they could and should expect to be able to access services was really important.”