On The Brink Of Homelessness

Ruth is a 52-year-old GP who has devoted her life to her medical career and patients. An empathic doctor, she often works 12-hour shifts and hasn’t had a holiday in years. She has few interests outside of work and has neglected her own health and self-care. Ruth has been dealing with a complex family situation, multiple psycho-social stressors, and significant intergenerational trauma.

One of her long-term patients made a complaint to the regulator about her professional conduct. This caused further stress and resulted in what Ruth termed an “existential crisis”. Still, she did not reach out or speak about the impact this was having on her. The extra stress exacerbated some existing relationship issues with her long-term partner and they broke up.

Ruth became more isolated and things started to spiral. She began to self-prescribe to manage her deteriorating sleep and declining mood. Eventually a colleague expressed concern about her capacity to continue working and suggested she take a break. She knew this was the right thing to do, and Ruth stopped working. However, after four months of no income, the bills were starting to mount.

Ruth had been a long-term donor to MBA NSW-ACT and knew about their services, but never imagined she’d be in a position to need them. However, being two months behind in rent she realised she was on the brink of homelessness and so made the call.

MBA NSW-ACT’s social worker gave her emotional support and encouraged her to contact DRS4DRS (ACT) who introduced her to an experienced GP, to help manage her own care. Our social worker then organised an emergency payment to pay her overdue rent and secure her housing. She was also supported to complete a Centrelink application, as a return to work was still a way off. At the monthly Council meeting, a gift was approved to cover her groceries and household bills until the government payment kicked in.

Working with our experienced social workers provided Ruth with a safe, confidential space to express her concerns openly and be heard. Together they explored priorities and options and developed a care plan. Over the next few months, during regular sessions, Ruth was able to reflect on how much she had neglected her own needs, including her relationships and life outside of medicine. Feeling better, Ruth took some positive steps to make change. She joined a Sunday walking group, took up guitar lessons, and initiated contact with some old friends. Soon after, she received news that the regulator had completed their review and no conditions were placed on her returning to practice. At a recent check-in with Ruth, she told our social worker that she has returned to her old practice but on a part-time basis. She is starting to feel like her old self and commented, “While I wouldn’t wish the
last six months on anybody, I have learnt a lot. Nowadays I always put my own oxygen mask on first.”