Mental health during COVID-19

Understanding rural/regional responses during the COVID-19 pandemic

Monash Rural Health is collaborating with the Monash Alfred Psychiatric research centre on a study of mental health responses to COVID-19.

Little research is available about the short- and long-term mental health consequences of pandemics. While there is ample evidence that stress and anxiety levels increase after disasters such as bushfires, floods and drought, the COVID-19 pandemic has the added burden of loneliness and isolation through social distancing measures. Do all people experience an event like this similarly regardless of their location?

Major aims

The aim of the study is to explore mental health responses during the COVID-19 pandemic, and examine resilience factors that promote good mental health and risk factors that contribute to poorer mental health.

Monash Rural Health researchers are particularly interested in the experience of people living in regional, rural and remote areas.

Who can take part in the research?

The study is open to anyone 18 years old or over and living in Australia or overseas. Taking part will involve completing an online questionnaire which should take 30-40 minutes. Questions will ask for demographic information, your current mood and physical health, your coping styles and resilience.

People who take part will have the option to repeat a shorter version of the survey at monthly intervals over the next 18 months.