Coronavirus Gold Coast: Health experts raise ‘shocking’ increase in mental health as Lifeline records spike in COVID-19 crisis calls
Lifeline is facing unprecedented demand as more people pick up the phone in search of help.
Gold Coast
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AS health experts reveal a spike in Gold Coasters battling mental health issues, Lifeline says it had a 26 per cent increase in calls for help from Queenslanders last month.
Across Australia, a record-breaking 88,907 calls were received by the charity crisis line in March, April and May and demand is expected to continue at record levels.
“Lifeline receives a call for help every 30 seconds,” said chairman John Brogden, “and demand is expected to continue at record levels with no signs of abating”.
Mr Brogden said a normal daily call figure was 2500, but from December 1 with the bushfires Lifeline saw a 10-15 per cent increase that did not abate.
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“Then by mid-February, this increased to a 25 per cent increase on the normal average of 2500 in the summer months, to an average of 3000 calls a day with many days up near 3200 – now almost 90,000 a month. This is a record number in Lifeline’s 57-year history.”
Mr Brogden said the 25 per cent spike was unprecedented.
Meanwhile, last month Queenslanders made 2020 calls for help compared to 1929 in May 2019.
Mr Brogden is expecting more than 1 million requests for support this year, creating an average of 120 safety plans to keep a person experiencing suicidal ideation safe every day.
Beyond Blue’s support services are also under strain, with an increase of 60 per cent in April and 31 per cent in May, compared to last year.
In a boost to Lifeline’s suicide prevention services across Australia, NRMA Insurance and RACV has given $2 million to help provide, among other things, 8000 telehealth counselling sessions for people in communities affected by drought, bushfire, flood and COVID-19.
“We encourage Gold Coasters to keep reaching out to people they know were struggling before coronavirus, because if they were then chances are very high they will be now. So please continue to be creative with your connections.
“And if you’re struggling, make sure you ask for help or call us,” Mr Brogden
Gold Coast-based mental health charity LIVIN have created an online version of LIVINWell, a 45-minute program building on its mantra that ‘it ain’t weak to speak’. It equips
participants with strategies to look after themselves and their mates, recognise warning
signs and symptoms and where to seek help.
NEED HELP?
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800
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