In addition to stress and insecurity about health and the future, the pandemic has created a new group of people who suddenly became burdened by financial problems. Employees who had a typical life lost their jobs, incomes, and acquired disproportionate debts.
These people, who have not learned to cope with financial difficulties and cannot cover their debt payments, are at risk of seeing suicide as a way to escape. Gerry Georgatos, national coordinator of the National Suicide Prevention & Trauma Recovery Project, which specialises in suicide prevention, points out the danger.
At the same time, while acknowledging that the financial packages of the Australian government have relieved the poorest citizens, he emphasizes that there are many who are not entitled to any assistance because they are not Australian citizens. Like those from New Zealand or refugees.
Source: SBS Greek
If some of them commit suicide, however, they will be recorded in the official statistics of Australia
Mr Georgatos says financial packages to support mental health should be extended to face-to-face support services. Because a quarter of people with suicidal tendencies are so poor that they never seek help. Many do not even have access to a telephone or the internet. Even now in the midst of a pandemic, he and his associates have not stopped visiting remote areas, taking but protective measures but without fear of the pandemic.
Our job is to help human lives, that's what we have to do and that's what we will continue to do.
