Stable death rate

Marc Schellekens (Back To The Evidence’, Gaz, 25/1), so you can sort him out on climate change?

John Duck, Trafalgar

Three years ago, and decades prior, when common sense and clear thinking did still exist the government allowed its citizens to self-diagnose the severity of the current, that season’s variant of annual known cold and flu.

They were, back then allowed to self-determine to attend work, stay home or consult a doctor. The average annual mortality rate; also known as the age standardised death rate remains stable.

Lynton Malley, Cloverlea anxiety, stress and depression are being pushed to their limits. It is important that we look for the signs of an inability to cope in people around us. Are they more withdrawn? Do they get upset or angrier more often? Is their behaviour different? Are they the sort of person who will mask how they truly feel? Children, teenagers through to those in aged care may need someone to listen to them, to hear their fears and for some, perhaps refer them on to specialist help.

We also need to be aware of these signs within ourselves. It is a natural and also a cultural reaction to tend to ignore symptoms, see them as a sign of weakness and become reluctant to acknowledge that we aren’t coping. Until people understand and accept that they are having difficulties, they won’t reach out for support. Yes, support may be stretched thin at the moment due to numbers requiring it, however sometimes all the immediate support needed might be having someone listen to them and not try to “fix” them or tell them to “get over it.”

In our society, there is a moral duty to look after those that are doing it tough.

Keep an eye on your family, friends and neighbours and have the courage to ask them if they are okay.

Many of them may not be and your simple question may make a huge impact on how they get through this very difficult of times.

Greg Tuck, Warragul