I would like to propose that security guards (and bouncers) or anyone in a position of making a decision whether a customer can/cannot enter premises, undertake a course on problem solving especially with regards to mental health issues, or those issues that are not visible.

What I would like to propose is a seperate line or entrance for those people requiring additional assistance, not discriminating to only mental health but those just needing some kindness or assistance when needing to line up and have bags checked etc, manned by a person who can make decisions on whether a bag or drink etc can be let into the venue, that also has kindness and understanding and will not bully or intimidate those customers needing a little extra time or help in those situations.

I desperately ask for your consideration in signing this partition as my family and I experienced something no child with anxiety, or mother for that matter, should ever experience. If there was a little care and understanding with my daughter’s condition, then the whole situation could have been handled a lot better and I would not have been locked out of qudos bank arena whilst my 3 children under 10 were inside with a family member uncertain where their mother was and not being allowed to have any physical contact to calm them down.

I feel as though some, not all, security guards are over aggressive and have zero understanding of how to desensitise a situation or even try to think outside the box when it comes to problem solving. 

I am all for safety of patrons however I feel as though the rules have now gone beyond safety and more of a nanny state. Common sense does not prevail and is getting worse. This is not the laid back Australia that I love.

Hopefully we can start a change and stand up and help to understand mental health and all the challenges that come with it. 

Thank you.