From the Albert & Logan News - Wednesday 22nd October 2008 From an article by Mark Flack
Gamblers in Beenleigh have lost a record $3.2 million on poker machines in the past three months.
Figures from the Office of Liquor; Gaming and Racing reveal that pokies at Beenleigh's five registered venues have taken more than $1 million a month since last July.
The figures show a 25% jump in losses compared with the same period two years ago.
They do not include losses in Mt Warren Park, Eagleby and Windaroo and come despite a drop in the number of gaming machines, following the closure of the Sundowner Hotel.
Here is an article from the Courier-Mail that spells out the increasing problems we in the Beenleigh community are facing with escalating domestic violence....
Domestic violence orders being flouted Article from: The Courier-Mail
By Melanie Christiansen
September 23, 2008 12:00am
DOMESTIC violence orders are failing to protect vulnerable Queenslanders as figures reveal more than 26,000 orders were breached in four years.
Records from Queensland magistrates' courts show there were 26,162 proven cases of breaches of domestic violence orders in the four years to June 2008. Of those, just 7406 - or 28 per cent - resulted in jail sentences, while 11,211 offenders escaped with a fine.
Attorney-General Kerry Shine has hailed the number of breaches brought to court as a reflection on how seriously authorities treated domestic violence but Opposition justice spokesman Stuart Copeland said the figures were cause for grave concern.
Mr Copeland said the figures lent weight to fears about a lack of police resources.
"The feedback that I've got is certainly that there's not enough resourcing to match the workload involved," he said.
Women's Legal Service solicitor Angela Lynch warned the official figures on breached domestic violence orders were "just the tip of the iceberg" and thousands of other incidents were never brought to court.
"One of the major complaints to us at the Women's Legal Service is the difficulty of actually getting the police to take action over a breach," she said. "Some women feel like they are being fobbed off."
Ms Lynch said some police appeared reluctant to pursue breaches of domestic violence orders because of the difficulty of getting a conviction or due to stretched resources.
Concerns also have been raised about whether those offenders who do front court get off lightly. University of Queensland criminal law researcher Heather Douglas examined 645 cases of breached domestic violence orders from Brisbane, Beenleigh and Gold Coast courts.
"I concluded that police are charging breach (of a domestic violence order) in lots of situations where there is actually assault or criminal damage," Dr Douglas said.
She said that meant victims did not have access to criminal compensation and offenders faced much lighter sentences.
Today I will comment on how I feel the Beenleigh community will fare in the hard economic times we are facing? Considering that we are a comparatively poor community times will be tough. We have higher unemployment and under-employment than the state average. We have more people paying rent and rents have gone up considerably already. Do you know that we pay more for rent here than people do in cities of Australia such as Melbourne? You can still rent 3 bedroom houses in parts of Melbourne for around $250. Those same houses are worth more than ours on the real estate market, so how can our high rents be justified?
The community of Beenleigh and Eagleby has been passed from pillar to post. Our first amalgamation from Albert Shire to Gold Coast City Council in 1995 made us the poor country cousins to more affluent areas of Gold Coast in the south. They took our rates and gave us very little in return. Problems such as our traffic congestion in the centre of town were ignored. Instead they conned us into a ridiculous debate over the ring road through the Beenleigh Showgrounds. They allocated money to be spent on this superfluous route which supposedly will solve all of our town's traffic problems and then were able to use the unspent budget down south while the Beenleigh Show Society battled with them through the courts.
We have a high proportion of people in Beenleigh and Eagleby on disability pensions and many elderly people who are socially isolated and virtual prisoners in their homes. This is because we have a distinct lack of footpaths in areas that are off the main drag. Some of these suburban streets have been there for more than thirty years and still no footpaths. When people cannot even go for a short walk down their own street, and maybe have a conversation with someone over the fence, they become socially isolated and this can lead to depression.
Depression is steadily growing amongst socially isolated people and apart from anti-depressant medication there is very little else to help. I would like to start an arts group that would be an outlet for people to get together and forget their problems for awhile. Where could I hold this group? Certainly not at the Beenleigh Neighbourhood Centre. That depressing old building is not a suitable place. Which gets me to the point that we need more community facilities in this town. The Beenleigh Community Centre next to the Library is too expensive to rent to hold a group meeting. Particularly in the start-up phase without any funding.
It is outrageous that the Community Centre sits there visibly empty and community people have to pay through the nose to use it. Meanwhile the Council are making a tidy amount in renting it out for big functions. With the amalgamation into Logan and all the facilities now available in the Logan area, such as the Logan Entertainment Centre, surely the people of Beenleigh community should get cheaper access to this building?
It is hard to get a lobby group together that might address this and other issues for the community of Beenleigh without somewhere to meet. And that is obviously the way our Councillor likes things to remain. There are often letters to the editor in the Albert & Logan News complaining about council issues but until we have a Residents Association to lobby on behalf of the community they will never be addressed.
We have the second highest number of domestic violence cases in the state heard at the Beenleigh Court. We may have social services in the Beenleigh community that offer family relationship counselling but how many people know where to go to access them? Is there any group that draws attention to our problems by holding a publicised event during Domestic Violence Awareness Week? Not that I have noticed.
We also have a disproportionate number of cases heard through the Beenleigh Court in regards to excessive alcohol consumption. Binge drinking is not only a local problem but it is a highly publicised national problem with our youth. So what is the Council doing to help? Certainly nothing by closing the Sundowner Hotel and allowing a huge discount liquor outlet to be built on the site.
There are many other social issues in Beenleigh that I will have to save for another post. I welcome comments on my blog and would love to get some debate happening. Cheers for now.
This is written in memory of Daniel and to try to offer some help to other young people who are currently struggling with depression ....
Teenage Depression is not just bad moods and occasional melancholy. Depression is a serious problem that impacts every aspect of a teen’s life. Left untreated, teen depression can lead to problems at home and school, drug abuse, self-loathing—even irreversible tragedy such as homicidal violence or suicide. Fortunately, teenage depression can be treated, and as a concerned parent, teacher, or friend, there are many things you can do to help.
Understanding teen depression There are as many misconceptions about teen depression as there are about teenagers in general. Yes, the teen years are tough, but most teens balance the requisite angst with good friendships, success in school or outside activities, and the development of a strong sense of self. Occasional bad moods or acting out is to be expected, but depression is something different. Depression can destroy the very essence of a teenager’s personality, causing an overwhelming sense of sadness, despair, or anger.
Whether the incidence of teen depression is actually increasing, or we’re just becoming more aware of it, the fact is that depression strikes teenagers far more often than most people think. And although depression is highly treatable, experts say only 20% of depressed teens ever receive help.
Unlike adults, who have the ability to seek assistance on their own, teenagers usually must rely on parents, teachers, or other caregivers to recognize their suffering and get them the treatment they need. So if you have an adolescent in your life, it’s important to learn what teen depression looks like and what to do if you spot the warning signs.
Signs and symptoms of teen depression
Teenagers face a host of pressures, from the changes of puberty to questions about who they are and where they fit in. The natural transition from child to adult can also bring parental conflict as teens start to assert their independence. With all this drama, it isn’t always easy to differentiate between depression and normal teenage moodiness. Making things even more complicated, teens with depression do not necessarily appear sad, nor do they always withdraw from others. For some depressed teens, symptoms of irritability, aggression, and rage are more prominent..
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION IN TEENS
Sadness or hopelessness
Irritability, anger, or hostility
Tearfulness or frequent crying
Withdrawal from friends and family
Loss of interest in activities
Changes in eating and sleeping habits
Restlessness and agitation
Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
Lack of enthusiasm and motivation
Fatigue or lack of energy
Difficulty concentrating
Thoughts of death or suicide
If you’re unsure if an adolescent in your life is depressed or just “being a teenager,” consider how long the symptoms have been present, how severe they are, and how different the teen is acting from his or her usual self. While some “growing pains” are to be expected as teenagers grapple with the challenges of growing up, dramatic, long-lasting changes in personality, mood, or behavior are red flags of a deeper problem.
Helping a depressed teenager
If you suspect that a teenager in your life is suffering from depression, take action right away. Depression is very damaging when left untreated, so don’t wait and hope that the symptoms will go away. Even if you’re unsure that depression is the issue, the troublesome behaviors and emotions you’re seeing in the teenager are signs of a problem. Whether or not that problem turns out to be depression, it still needs to be addressed - the sooner the better.
Talk to them
The first thing you should do if you suspect depression is to talk to the person about it. In a loving and non-judgmental way, share your concerns with them. Let him or her know what specific signs of depression you’ve noticed and why they worry you. Then encourage them to open up about what he or she is going through.
TIPS FOR TALKING TO A DEPRESSED TEEN
Offer support
Let depressed teenagers know that you’re there for them, fully and unconditionally. Hold back from asking a lot of questions (teenagers don’t like to feel patronized or crowded), but make it clear that you’re ready and willing to provide whatever support they need.
Be gentle but persistent
Don’t give up if your adolescent shuts you out at first. Talking about depression can be very tough for teens. Be respectful of your child’s comfort level while still emphasizing your concern and willingness to listen.
Listen without lecturing
Resist any urge to criticize or pass judgment once your teenager begins to talk. The important thing is that your child is communicating. Avoid offering unsolicited advice or ultimatums as well.
Validate feelings
Don’t try to talk teens out of their depression, even if their feelings or concerns appear silly or irrational to you. Simply acknowledge the pain and sadness they are feeling. If you don’t, they will feel like you don’t take their emotions seriously.
If your teen claims nothing is wrong, but has no explanation for what is causing the depressed behavior, you should trust your instincts. Remember that denial is a strong emotion. Furthermore, teenagers may not believe that what they’re experiencing is the result of depression. If you see depression’s warning signs, seek professional help. Neither you nor your teen is qualified to either diagnosis depression or rule it out, so see a doctor or psychologist who can.
Visit your family doctor
Make an immediate appointment for your teen to see the family physician for a depression screening. Be prepared to give your doctor specific information about your teen’s depression symptoms, including how long they’ve been present, how much they’re affecting your child’s daily life, and any patterns you’ve noticed. The doctor should also be told about any close relatives who have ever been diagnosed with depression or another mental health disorder.
As part of the depression screening, the doctor will give your teenager a complete physical exam and take blood samples to check for medical causes of your child’s symptoms. In order to diagnose depression, other possible causes of your teen’s symptoms must first be ruled out. The doctor will check for medical causes of the depression by giving your teenager a complete physical exam and running blood tests. The doctor may also ask your teen about other things that could be causing the symptoms, including heavy alcohol and drug use, a lack of sleep, a poor diet (especially one low in iron), and medications (including birth control pills and diet pills).
Melinda Smith, M.A., Suzanne Barston, Jaelline Jaffe, Ph.D., Lisa Flores Dumke, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., contributed to this article.
TEN-YEAR-OLD carer Jazzi Pybus will not be invited to attend the Young Carers conference at Parliament House next month, despite being the only child who volunteered to go.
Carers Australia chief executive Joan Hughes said yesterday that fully sponsored positions had been filled and that Jazzi was too young to be of assistance to policymakers and academics who will attend the conference.
The Australian this week reported that Carers Australia, which received $280,000 in federal funding to host a Young Carers conference, had knocked back an approach by Jazzi to attend with her friends, aged 10 to 12, who care for parents who have schizophrenia or suffer from drug abuse.
Jazzi's father, Calvin Pybus, has post-traumatic stress syndrome. Her mother was recently hit by a bus and left with multiple fractures. She has a baby brother with Down syndrome. Her friend, Angel, cares for a mum with bipolar disorder.
The girls wanted to attend the conference because they were themselves young carers: they do the washing, help young siblings get ready for bed, and manage the household. They formed a support group for young carers in their neighbourhood, outside Brisbane. They connect online, and have painted a series of artworks about their lives. The girls hoped to learn from others at the conference, too.
Ms Hughes said yesterday: "What you really need to understand is that the young people who will attend have been recruited."
The Australian understands that Jazzi is the only young person to get in touch with Carers Australia and ask to attend the talkfest.
Ms Hughes said the aim was to bring together academics, members of parliament, service providers and young carers. Asked if Jazzi could be in the audience, she said: "It's hard to say. It's a duty-of-care issue."
Carers Australia spokesman Anthony Watkins said the problem was a shortage of seats.
"We arranged for 32 young carers from across Australia to come," Mr Watkins said. "We had limited funds and we had to make the most of opportunities."
Opposition disabilities, carers and voluntary sector spokesman Cory Bernardi said: "We should be supporting our very young carers. It concerns me that they are not receiving financial support. It's alarming. They are a hidden group. To hear that children are banding together for support as there are no services suitable to their needs is disturbing."
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