It seemed residents had learned to live with pandemic posing restrictions and lead a somewhat normal life.

But with NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian announcing further lockdowns regional communities are facing tough times.

Despite the negativity around COVID, findings of a new study have revealed regional communities across NSW, like Lithgow, have fared better in dealing with the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, compared to those in greater Sydney.

The study, undertaken on behalf of the Mental Health Commission of NSW, involved 2000 residents across the state including more than 600 from regional and rural areas and was based on the impact they felt last year.

More than 30 per cent of those rural and regional residents reported no negative impact to their mental health last year, compared to around 20 per cent across the greater Sydney and metropolitan areas of the state.

Of those who reported otherwise in regional areas, the study's findings still showed fewer instances of relationship, financial and practical impacts compared to metropolitan areas.

Lithgow headspace Intake and Community Engagement officer Ashleigh Sakkouri said over the past 12 months several people in Lithgow had been accessing mental health services.

"We have all been in a recovery period after the bushfires of 2019/20 and then a global pandemic that has tested our community in many ways," she said.

This has led to an increase in the community accessing mental health support as well as an increase in wait times, Ms Sakkouri said.

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"Services shift and change to build capacity to support the community as best we can," she said.

Headspace Lithgow Youth Reference Group (YRG) gave their input to Ms Sakkouri and believed the community was coping as well as they could with all things considered.

"The Lithgow community thrives on small businesses and is spread out over rural land. There is definitely a level of stress in wondering how small businesses might cope if forced into lockdown or if the virus was to sweep through our community, how it would impact us physically, mentally and economically," she said.

Ms Sakkouri said at headspace there had been noticeable increasing mental health concerns among the youth population of Lithgow.

"This could be related to factors like social isolation and distancing from others. Humans are social creatures, we miss that connection and interaction with friends and family," she said.

"The lockdowns and restrictions are affecting a lot of families, people young and old. We are all experiencing this pandemic together and it would be affecting everyone in the same way."

She suggested people who are struggling should try to find ways to stay connected with friends and family online.

"Set up Zoom, use social media, text and call," she said.

"Try to look on the bright side, stay positive, and don't be afraid to ask for help, reach out to someone you can talk to if you are feeling isolated.

"We are all in this together worldwide - if you are feeling down, you can be heard and others will understand.

"Find ways to stay connected, try to maintain a good daily routine and exercise when you can, breathe the fresh air, appreciate nature or like Olly from or YRG , start a veggie garden with your mum and make it some bonding time."

Ms Sakkouri said as a community Lithgow was doing its best with available resources and knowledge.

"As the pandemic continues to impact us, COVID-19 fatigue may be taking a toll on your wellbeing. Feeling mentally and physically fatigued can make it harder to bounce back and sometimes builds a sense of helplessness and hopelessness," she said.

She encouraged the community to keep using the many resources available from their homes through a number of great online/telephone services such as:

If you or anyone you know needs help:

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