COVID-19 and Australia’s mental health: An overview of academic literature, policy documents, lived experience accounts, media and community reports

Abstract

Over the past 20 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a profound disruption to Australians’ daily lives. Many of our daily activities and schedules have changed beyond recognition, including the way we work, go to school, see friends and family, play sport, travel, exercise and engage in hobbies. Economic insecurity and increased job loss have propelled many Australians into financial stress. With the recent Australian outbreak of the Delta Variant, there is widespread uncertainty about what the future will look like.

The evidence collated in this synthesis contains important depth and insights, but it is not exhaustive. It draws on a wide-ranging knowledge base including Australian and international published literature, government plans, budgets, policy reports, inquiries, grey literature and public commentary about the mental health and wellbeing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and voices from those who have generously shared their experiences around COVID-19 and mental health.

At the time of writing (August/September 2021), NSW, VIC and the ACT are amid another extended lockdown and SA, WA, the NT and QLD have been in-and-out of snap lockdowns, and with a slower than hoped vaccine rollout, there may be more lockdowns and border closures to come.