Author: SALT

The last decade has delivered up significant disruption to businesses.  From the coming of Uber to challenge the monopoly of taxis to online companies intercepting and charging for sales leads, Australian businesses have had to cope with unimagined challenges to their traditional way of trading.  But the biggest disruption of all has been COVID-19.  No one imagined a time when your business could be forced to close its physical doors for an extended period of time.  No one imagined curfews, wearing masks to go outside, extended separation of family members.

The below tips were written by Andrew Szydlowski, Keys For Recruitment.

After having thirty-one sessions this week with patients where the singular focus was COVID-19 and how to cope, I decided to consolidate my advice and make a list that I hope is helpful to all.

It is that simple and that serious.

Putting Victoria into Stage 4 Restrictions – a true lockdown – will no doubt lead to a significant increase in loneliness and disconnection.  And we know that loneliness and disconnection are the single biggest contributors to mental health problems.

When Steph Collins from SALT (Sport and Life Training) checked in with Luke Kerr from Mount Martha Junior Football Club, she got some great feedback on the value of the Reconnect session SALT had run for his teams.

How do we respond to the news that one in four sporting clubs may not survive the COVID Lockdown? Clubs have reported that income from sponsors, participants and activity-based revenue streams have disappeared, but their costs continue. There is also fear the many participants won’t return due to concern about health and hygiene.

It was a really disappointing end to the AFLW season in 2020 with the COVID-19 state of emergency meaning that those teams who had battled to the top were not able to square off in a final to find an ultimate winner.  It was a real body blow to not only the players, but a whole battalion of women who had watched, thrilled, as AFLW had tenaciously worked to win the hearts and minds of the general public.  Proving that women’s footy was a sport well worth playing, watching and supporting.

With the lockdown of Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire until the 19th of August at the earliest, sport is once again off the table and the impact will be significant for a lot of adolescents and young adults.  The risk of increased mental health problems is real.