Michaela Meade
The Black Dog Institute is calling for participants in a trial for a positive mood program to manage stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Black Dog Institute is an Australian medical research institute that investigates mental health, with the goal of creating a mentally healthier world.
The positive mood program aims to provide resources to help manage COVID-19 related stress, as Victoria once again finds itself in the grips of another lockdown to contain the virus.
The Black Dog Institute said the need for this kind of program has increased.
“There is an urgent need for publicly available strategies to reduce COVID-19 related distress,” the institute said.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), the number of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) mental health services accessed by Australians has increased.
The latest data revealed that in the week beginning April 19, 2021, there were 286,194 services accessed, compared to 244,657 in the week beginning April 20, 2020.
This is an increase of 41,537 services.
The trial is open to anyone 18 years or over who can communicate in conversational English, and who has experienced stress related to the pandemic.
There will be two trail conditions, and participants will be reimbursed $100 after completing all of the study components.
Details: bit.ly/3kuDONS
