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Psychologist offers mental health support with lockdown lessons learned

A Melbourne-based psychologist says he hopes Sydneysiders can benefit from Melbourne’s mental health lockdown learnings.

Australian Catholic University Professor John Munro, a respected psychologist and education expert, said important mental health lessons were learned during Melbourne’s 111-day lockdown – one of the world's longest.

Professor Munro says acceptance, regular routines, and connection to others are just some of the ways Melburnians coped best with their lockdown extension.

He has five top tips to offer Sydneysiders:

1. ACCEPTANCE: The importance of accepting the situation and looking at the advantages of lockdown
2. LEARNING: Take any time you may have to learn new things
3. ROUTINES: Establish and maintaining routines and rituals, including regular exercise
4. SOCIAL CONNECTIONS: Communicate regularly with others
5. HOME SCHOOLING ADVICE: This time is exceptional so, in the overall scheme of things, it does not matter too much if home learning is not ‘ideal’. Most importantly try to use the above four tips to reduce stress in both you and your child.

Professor Munro added mental wellbeing was crucial during lockdown and the five tips supported positive mental health.