We don’t know if it’s an official thing yet, but we’re pretty sure it will be, under this name or another.

What a time. And it continues.

Whether you lost someone you love, were a frontline worker, lost your employment due to lockdown, contracted Covid-19 yourself, or had to endure the exhaustion, isolation and stress of repeated lockdowns, what you’ve likely experienced is trauma. The thing about trauma is, whatever you’re feeling right now, even if it is nothing: it’s important to know that it’s normal. But the MOST important thing to know is, when to seek help. For you, or your loved one.

If you find you can’t stop thinking about lockdown or the pandemic, you’re particularly jumpy, you’re having nightmares about or related to the pandemic, you’re withdrawing from family and friends, or any of these symptoms are interfering with the things you normally do day to day (or you observe any of these symptoms in a loved one), please reach out for help.

We are here for you: please call (03) 9489 6472 or make an appointment via online with HotDoc. We’ve popped some numbers down the bottom if you need some more immediate help.

And please, go gently, be kind to yourself, and recognise that what you and the rest of the community have experienced is trauma, which will take time to recover from.

If you need urgent help: 

• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Suicide Callback Line: 1300 659 467
• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
• Open Arms (for current and ex-serving ADF members and their families) 1800 011 046
• Mensline Australia: 1300 789 978
• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800