South coast bushfires impact mental health

A grandmother whose Mitsubishi Triton ute flipped off the face of a cliff before landing “incredibly” between two sharp rocky outcrops was lucky to escape after struggling to deal with the aftermath of the black summer bushfires.

The recent bushfires on the South Coast of NSW were preceded by extended periods of drought, which produced huge amounts of fuel for the fire to burn. Dry River in Quaama, NSW on Thursday 9 January 2020. Picture by Sean Davey/AAP (NO ARCHIVING).

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A local magistrate who also acts as coroner has expressed his concerns over the increase in suicide attempts since the devastating bushfires last summer followed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Magistrate Doug Dick said while it was difficult to link the deaths to the bushfires, which destroyed more than 1000 properties on the south coast, he was concerned the rate has been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“People who lost everything just couldn’t face life,” he told Narooma Local Court on October 15.

Magistrate Dick made the remarks while sentencing a 56-year-old Bega resident to a 12-month community corrections order for a high-range drink driving offence in April which saw her nearly lose her life.

“Clearly your time to leave this earth was not up,” Magistrate Dick told Thornton, whose blood alcohol level was found to be more than three times the legal limit after a witness saw her drive off a lookout at Barragoot Point, south of Bermagui.

The woman was sentenced in Narooma Local Court on October 15.

Court documents reveal the woman, who pleaded guilty, was driving her Mitsubishi Triton ute as it flipped off the face of a cliff before landing “incredibly” between two sharp rocky outcrops below.

The grandmother of 21 was able to crawl from the vehicle with minor cuts and bruises before being taken to hospital, where her blood alcohol level was tested.

Her lawyer told the court Thornton had lost dozens of pet birds to bushfire smoke and was struggling with the lack of face-to-face contact with her grandchildren due to the pandemic.

“This isn’t an ordinary case,” Magistrate Dick told the court during sentencing.

“Clearly you were in a very dark place of your life.”

Magistrate Dick also fined the woman $1600, disqualified her for driving for six months, which was backdated to May, and enforced a two year interlock program.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call triple-0 (000) or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

The following are free services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

• Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 or Lifeline Australia
  A crisis support service that provides short term support at any time for people who are having difficulty coping or staying safe.
  
• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 or Beyond Blue
  Available by phone or online via chat or email, to provide support on a range of mental health issues.
  
• People aged 12-25 seeking help for a mental health problem should contact headspace at www.headspace.org.au