Flood of mental health problems starting to emerge

Over a year after Queensland’s spate of natural disasters, health care provider Ozcare said the number of people suffering mental health issues has skyrocketed.

Ozcare Disaster Recovery Program Co-ordinator Donna Hita said their service was already receiving dozens of calls each week from flood victims or concerned family members and expected numbers to increase dramatically over coming months.

"Psychological trauma can often taken six to eighteen months to rear its head and we’re starting to see a rush of people who are putting their hands up for help and for whom the recovery process is still a long way from being over," Ms Hita said.

"People have been overwhelmed with the practical aspects of getting back on their feet and they’ve neglected their own emotional health.

"These are men, women and families who are weary but still have a long way to go.

"Outsiders see houses being rebuilt and think that’s the end of it but in reality there are individuals and families who are teetering on the brink and we’re now starting to see the true extent of the crisis emerge."

Ozcare’s Disaster Recovery Program has received federal and state funding for the next two years to provide both emotional and practical support to flood victims.

The mobile outreach service brings social workers, psychologists and other mental health workers directly to individuals and families as required, at times suitable to them, rather than scheduling appointments at an office.

The program also offers workshops and support group sessions at venues like the local pub or around a backyard barbecue, to provide information and support in a comforting environment.

"We’re trying to build resilience in vulnerable people," Ms Hita said.

"At the moment we’re helping more than one hundred people across Brisbane, in the West Moreton, Somerset and Rockhampton areas, as well as in the Lockyer and Brisbane Valleys.

"We’ve found that family members will refer a partner or friend to us because they’ve recognised the signs that they’re not coping well.

"Some of the signs include behaviour changes like people withdrawing from life, not attending social situations, not going to work or school, arguing more, drinking and smoking more, taking drugs and acting in an unsafe manner to deal with stress.

"Left untreated these sorts of behaviours can spiral out of control and suicide is very real threat."

In the past month Fernvale couple Noeline and Henry Mokosch finally returned to their rental property after it was inundated in the January floods but admit they’re still shell-shocked.

"I had to be the strong one in the beginning for my husband because he was coming back and sorting through what was left of a lifetime of possessions," Noeline said.

"Then I recently went through a down stage and talking to the psychologist from Ozcare helped me to see a way through it.

"In this community here I’ve seen a lot of people who need emotional support but don’t ask for help. I can see how people would give up.

"They’ve tried to build something for their family and the water’s taken it away, so you understand why some people think there’s not much left to live for."

Ozcare’s Donna Hita said more than ever before people needed to know there was support available.

"This is a crucial time for the victims of these natural disasters," she said.

"People are at different stages of the recovery process and even if they’re back in their homes or in new homes, many are still fragile and need help on a number of fronts.

"While there is an incredible need for counselling support there are still people who need help with tasks like filling out insurance forms and grant applications, which sound simple but when you’re living with family or in rental accommodation and struggling to keep it together, filling out a form is just another task on an endless list."

Ozcare is a leading not-for-profit organisation which has been dedicated to providing the highest standards in community and health services to the frail, aged and disadvantaged across Queensland for the past 16 years.

For more information about Ozcare’s Disaster Recovery Program or other services and locations call 13 OZCARE or visit www.ozcare.org.au

Signs someone you know may have a mental health issue and need help:
 Sudden behaviour changes like getting angry easily, fighting with family members
 Smoking more
 Drinking more
 Taking drugs
 Avoiding social situations they’d normally enjoy
 Rapid loss of weight or rapid weight gain
 Trouble sleeping
 Higher anxiety levels than usual
 A lack of interest in things that used to be of interest
 An inability to make basic decisions

If you know someone showing several of these symptoms, they may need your help or a referral to Ozcare’s Disaster Recovery Program. To speak to one of Ozcare’s mental health experts, call 13 OZCARE (13 692273).