Unemployed females are seeking counselling for depression in increasing numbers, according to the executive director of the Women’s Resource Centre.

Patrice Frith Hayward told The Royal Gazette there had been a noticeable increase recently in women wanting help through counselling — though she said there was no way of knowing how many heads of households grappling with unemployment were also suffering with depression.

Ms Frith Hayward made her comments after reading in this newspaper about the plight of two women struggling to make ends meet while unemployed for more than a year,

“Not everyone is coming to the Women’s Resource Centre,” she said. “[But] we do have clients coming to see our counsellors as a result of depression related to being out of work.

“They are basically at their wits’ end and, like the women featured in the newspaper, they’re in a state of disbelief that this is actually happening to them.

“Most of them turn to us — not looking for jobs, although we do receive résumés, but looking for help in coping.

“The sense of helplessness, desperation and failure weigh heavily on them after their ‘normal’ has been shattered.”

She added: “I imagine many of these ladies don’t seek help because they feel embarrassed or ashamed because, you know, as women we think we need to have it together ourselves and then keep our families together, even when there are men in the home.

“It has to be almost debilitating for a woman, like these women, to go from working for 30 years or more, and taking a salary for granted ... to feeling as vulnerable as they sound.

“My heart aches for them and those like [them], especially those who are too proud to reach out and are suffering in silence, not knowing where to turn.”

She encouraged anyone experiencing such a “change of life” to contact the WRC to speak to one of their counsellors.

“We might not be able to assist them in finding work but we can assist them in dealing with their feelings which, oftentimes, include confusion. That’s one of the reasons we are here.

“We do charge a fee. However, if a woman is coming to us because she is depressed or feeling a sense of hopelessness because she cannot find work, we recognise she isn’t able to pay and will work with her.

“That’s why our fundraising campaigns are so important and necessary — to help to pay for our clients who can’t because we don’t turn anyone away, especially if they can’t pay. That’s just not an option for us.”

Quite often, she said, a parent suffering from depression does not want the people they love to know the state they are in, as a means of protecting them — especially when dealing with elderly parents and even children.

“Again, as women, we are very good at masking feelings and living by the ‘it’s all good’ adage,” said Ms Frith Hayward.

“But many times, it’s not all good and these feelings will eventually expose themselves in ways that are detrimental to the sufferer’s health and well-being, as well as her ability to adequately care for those depending on her, like her children.

“We hear from our clients that being in that position lessens their ability to cope, as well as their tolerance level.

“Their misdirected aggression is then inflicted on those closest to them — children, spouse, parents, friends. These women are human and they are hurting. ”She stressed: “It is imperative that they seek help in dealing with their feelings and emotions. We strongly encourage them to contact us.”

For more information call 295-3882 or the centre’s Crisis Helpline on 295-7273.