Jobless anxiety on rise

MENTAL health experts are bracing for a “second wave” of struggling Gold Coasters seeking treatment for depression and anxiety as stress over job losses bites.

A Currumbin mental health facility says the number of people seeking solace from alcohol had jumped 20 per cent in recent weeks – and it was only going to get worse as the economic fallout hit more families.

Business leaders also said uncertainty around the reopening of the border and easing of social restrictions was playing on the minds of locals, as there is “no lifeline to swim towards”.

Currumbin Clinic chief executive Kate Cross said her 104-bed facility had been in demand from people who had lost their jobs and could not see a future for themselves.

“What we will start seeing more of now is an increase in patients who are struggling with depression and anxiety. It’ll be our second wave of increased admissions.

“It’ll be the people who are dealing with the grief of losing their jobs and the overwhelming isolation that they’ve been dealing with for months. When I think about the number of people in casual jobs in hospitality on the Gold Coast, who are facing the reality that they may never be able work in these industries again, I can’t imagine.

“I think we’re going to see a substantial increase in the presentation of new patients who have never struggled with depression and anxiety but coronavirus is really impacting their lives and they need to find a way to return to normal.”

Mrs Cross said patients from northern NSW could access the facility if they had a border pass because Currumbin Clinic was an essential service.

The Southport Private Hospital psychiatrist Dr Sandra Fang said she expected an increase in the number of people seeking mental health support as restrictions began to ease.

“People in our community have been faced with unemployment, social isolation and financial difficulties,” she said.

“There are instances of family ties breaking down, existing support systems being withdrawn and substance use and domestic violence on the rise.”

Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Martin Hall said uncertainty was “no doubt” affecting businesses.

“There’s no lifeline to swim towards, without a firm date for borders to be opened or even inter-Queensland travel,” he said.

“That’s affecting everyone’s mental health. It’s an absolute no man’s land.

“Businesses are extremely resourceful, give us a problem and we’ll solve it, but if we don’t know what the problem is we can’t solve anything.

“The thing we need to focus on is these school holidays. Really, we’re just running out of time (for that) because the end of June is not far away.”

BULLETIN VIEW, P60