Depressed increase as hotline calls jump

Alex de Vos
A LOCAL crisis hotline to help Geelong residents cope with depression has taken almost 1000 more calls in six months than in the previous year.
Lifeline received 5571 calls in 2006-07 but since the end of June more than 6500 people have phoned the counselling and referral service.
Geelong callers are often isolated, suffering from relationship breakdowns or suicidal, according to Lifeline Geelong Barwon chief executive officer Sharon Gibson.
“It really surrounds issues like loneliness and isolation in the community, which links to depression,” Ms Gibson told the Independent.
“Some people are considering suicide and ring Lifeline to talk about that.”
Ms Gibson said callers to Lifeline were getting older.
“Today our age group ranges from 25 to around 65,” Ms Gibson said.
“Whereas it would have been 25 to 45.”
The drought and media attention of depression had sparked the rise in callers, Ms Gibson said.
“The drought has really affected people,” Ms Gibson said.
“They generally feel flat and low.”
In 2005, former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett spearheaded a national campaign through anti-depression agency beyondblue to further the treatment and understanding of depression in Australia.
“I think the depression campaign has really helped people come forward,” Ms Gibson said.
“There’s less stigma around depression.”
Ms Gibson said Lifeline had also experienced a rise in male callers during the past year.
“I think that’s because more sports people have raised the issue of depression.”
Ms Gibson said the increase in callers had stretched the organisation’s resources.
“Since we started back in 1978 we’ve been open 24/7.
“There’s always that continual pressure to have enough people to man the phones.”
Ms Gibson urged community members to come forward if they would like to volunteer.
“The fact that our call rate keeps increasing means there will never be enough counsellors for the demand.
“We’re needed more and more in the community and people see us as an essential service.”
People who need support during a time of crisis should call Lifeline on 131 114.