Economic crisis triggers mental health concerns
Mon 29 June 2009
Naomi Stekelenburg, Journalism
Rising unemployment is set to take a toll on the mental health of people on the Sunshine Coast.
University of the Sunshine Coast psychology lecturer Dixie Statham said 42 per cent of the clients seeking treatment at her University clinic presented with depression as their primary diagnosis, and that she expected this number to rise.
Evidence from the Great Depression of the 1920s suggested that during economic crises general mental health declined.
There was also an increased risk of violence and alcohol abuse within families.
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations figures issued in September, 2008, indicated there were 10, 239 people unemployed on the Sunshine Coast and the average time out of work was 18 months.
Relationships Australia Sunshine Coast manager Sue Miller said unemployment levels could impact negatively on relationships.
“Recently, we are seeing more people for relationship counselling due to financial issues,” Ms Miller said.
Ms Statham said unemployment changed individuals’ perceptions of themselves.
“These things challenge a person’s sense of control,” Ms Statham said.
Author Graeme Cowen, who wrote a book on depression titled Back from the Brink, said one of the ways to regain control was to participate in volunteer work.
“I think it’s good for people to do volunteer work,” Mr Cowen said.
Mr Cowen said exercise and alcohol-avoidance were also keys to recovery.
Some people with depression turned to alcohol to self-medicate for persistent feelings of anxiety or low mood.
Ms Statham said that while this provided an initial sense of euphoria, in the longer term alcohol depressed central nervous system activity, making management of depression more difficult.
Instead, Ms Statham recommended patients undergo cognitive behavioural therapy as treatment for anxiety and depression, and said prescription medication for anxiety and depression would be safe and effective as a “starting point for treatment”.
Support from family and partners was also important.
Loss of libido and emotional withdrawal were also symptoms commonly experienced by a person with depression.
These could be interpreted by partners as signs of relationship problems.
In order to combat this, Ms Statham encouraged partners to become educated and to participate in the counselling process.
Mr Cowen said it was in everyone’s best interest for partners to be involved in this way.
“When a person’s in a black hole, the partner can often see things more objectively.” Mr Cowen said.
The Medicare Better Access to Mental Health Services program offered assistance to people wishing to access psychological treatments for mental illness.
Sunshine Coast residents could self-refer to Ms Statham’s clinic by phoning 5459 4514.
Students at the University of the Sunshine Coast have free access to the clinic.
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