General
Psychologists face ‘tsunami’ of demand during COVID-19 pandemic, bushfire anniversaries
People seeking support for mental health are facing long wait times in regional Australia, with those in south-east New South Wales having to wait up to six months to access a face-to-face appointment.
Key points:
- Psychologists in regional NSW are being inundated with people reaching out for help during bushfire anniversaries
- It can take between three to six months to see a psychologist face to face in some parts of the state
- In the state’s south-east, locals often have to drive long distances to see a clinician
Demand for psychologists has grown continuously during the coronavirus pandemic and since last summer’s devastating bushfires, and health providers are noticing an increase in people reaching out for help 12 months on from the fires.
