This year’s national budget was a landmark investment in mental health, a promising commitment and yet a dire reflection on the state of the nation. New research is suggesting that despite significantly shorter periods of lockdown and isolation to city areas, it was Regional NSW that suffered the most when it came to the mental health impacts of Covid-19. 

The Mental Health Commission of NSW’s second report into mental health since the pandemic began in 2020 has shown a decline in condition across the country, with regional residents reporting an 11 per cent increase in negative impacts since last year.

While last year the number stood at 69 per cent of people, now 80 per cent of people feel affected. 



Mental Health Commissioner of NSW, Ms Catherine Lourey, said the results were surprising. 

“With the exception of border areas, such as Albury-Wodonga in the south and the Twin Towns in the north, many areas outside our metropolitan areas experienced only minimal impacts from the pandemic during 2020,” said Ms Lourey. 

“However, the arrival and spread of new variants during 2021 changed that, as lockdowns and restrictions were introduced to many communities for the first time,” she said. 

“Restrictions on business, social relations, movement in general and concerns about catching the virus increased stress and anxiety for the individual and regarding their loved ones.” 

While the number of regional residents reporting positive impacts fell from 42 per cent to 37 per cent, in Greater Sydney 50 per cent of people still had positive impacts to report. 

One of the positive impacts so far, it seems, has been a stronger relationship with parents and children from time being spent together. 

With $2.3 billion committed to the federal budget and up to 57 additional mental health treatment sites for adults proposed, the placement of sites and channelling of funds towards priority areas will be crucial.

While regional NSW residents were more likely to turn off the news to avoid the source of bad information, a promising challenge to the stigma around mental health (particularly in rural areas) was the rise in people seeking out help.

“More regional and rural residents also sought help from medical professionals than their counterparts in Greater Sydney, with 15 per cent of people seeking help compared to just eight per cent in metropolitan areas,” Ms Lourey said. 

Any community members who are concerned about their own or a loved one’s mental health are encouraged to speak with trusted support services such as a family GP.  

Alternatively, call one of the following support lines: 

• NSW Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511 
• Lifeline: 13 11 14 
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 
• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 
• Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636