Dr Magdalena Simonis talked to Neos Kosmos for The Interview podcast. The GP has a significant career as a government health advisor. She is a Senior Honorary Research Fellow with Safer Families Centre of Research Excellence, at University of Melbourne and one of Australia’s leading women’s health experts. The GP who was born in Australia, has heritage from northern Greece with her mother from Thessaloniki, and her father from Halkidiki.

Her desire to be a doctor began as a six-year-old. “I was one of the lucky ones because I think knowing what you want from early on in life is a pretty good so it’s your north star.”

Dr Simonis said that COVID and the lockdowns, generated greater level of domestic violence, isolation, and confusion. People neglected other underlying conditions such as diabetes. Dr Simonis said that long COVID syndrome was more common in women but can impact on patients of all ages, with symptoms, that last for months.

The women’s health expert said that the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020 has seriously impacted on women’s health.

“Increase in conditions that we’ve observed that have not been diagnosed, for instance breast cancer. We’ve seen 36 per cent fewer diagnosis nationally for the period between April and September of 2020, and we’re still seeing the aftermath.”

Dr Simonis said that many are delayed breast cancer diagnosis so when they are finally diagnosed “they are much later, and more advanced.”

One of the most dramatic impacts has been the rise of family violence said Dr Simonis.

“Families services have been inundated with a surge of domestic violence issues, and especially in Victoria where we’ve had such protracted lockdowns and in the culturally diverse communities, where people live in small apartments often a multi-generational household.”

The GP said that it is “very difficult to escape that sort of situation” and where they may well be “living with in laws, and therefore have no support and now access to the other community.”

One area many would not know about it’s the availability and access to medication, particular oral contraceptives, and a variety of contraceptives, said Dr Simonis.

“Many have not been arriving in Australia due to supply issues, and the same stands for menopausal hormone therapy, so we have had situations where women have not been able to access their hormone therapy.”

The Greek Australian community, Dr Simonis said, has been “exposed to the same risks in the same issues, and yes, it is prevalent within our own community, so we do need to have these conversations.”

Dr Simonis believes that the GP, or a close family friend, or a trusted other, can lead you to the necessary services needed.

“Although services are currently being overwhelmed, there’s a huge investment both federally and at state level to support family violence services such as Safe Steps and also 1800 Respect, and they are accessible from telephone, or online.”

Dr Simonis believes that the GP, or a close family friend, or a trusted other, can lead you to the necessary services needed.

The GP pointed to the Head to Health website which “has anything and everything you need to know about mental health support, so whether you have an anxiety disorder, whether you have depression, whether you live with someone who has a mental health disorder, or an addiction to drugs, or alcohol this website is excellent as a resource that very few people know and I can highly recommend.”

Nothing beats going to your trusted GP, Dr Simonis emphasised.

“Your GP is a gateway to the services you’ll need…” which “has anything and everything you need to know about mental health support, so whether you have an anxiety disorder, whether you have depression, whether you live with someone who has a mental health disorder, or an addiction to drugs, or alcohol this website is excellent as a resource that very few people know and I can highly recommend.”

However, nothing beats going to your trusted GP, said the Greek Australian doctor.

“Your GP is a gateway to the services you’ll need.”