Dr John Gibson
Silver lining on mental health milestone
at Greenslopes Private Hospital
A psychiatrist who founded a program at Greenslopes Private Hospital to help struggling
veterans has celebrated 25 years as the hospital’s Mental Health Unit Director.
greenslopesprivate.com.au | 7
Dr John Gibson started his career at the hospital as an intern
in 1981 and returned to the facility full-time after passing his
specialist exam.
Dr Gibson said: “I have really spent my entire career at the
hospital and I’m still here, so that is a pretty good indication
that I’m enjoying it.”
He became director of the Keith Payne Unit in 1994 and
co-founded the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
program.
It was one of the first of its kind in Australia, specifically
designed to assist veterans experiencing military-related
PTSD, which has now treated more than 700 participants.
“Since it started, I have run 128 groups through the program,
and only missed one due to a stay in hospital,” Dr Gibson said.
Dr Gibson said when the program first started, a majority of
participants were Vietnam veterans who didn’t feel welcome
in the community. But as time went on, younger patients who
had returned from East Timor and Afghanistan started filtering
through as well.
“It was a really interesting time; the Vietnam veterans took on
a nurturing role for the younger patients. It was as if they felt
responsible for them and didn’t want them going through the
same things they had,” Dr Gibson said.
The 10-week program is multi-disciplinary and built on
addressing all issues associated with PTSD, including mental
health, medication and relationship management, with
elements of humour.
While Dr Gibson is the director, he receives support from allied
health, nursing and administration staff, who have become a
tight-knit group.
“Each week we have a journal club, where we discuss an
academic paper and eat together; it brings us closer as a team
and doubles as professional development. I’m very blessed
with the people around me,” Dr Gibson said.
The unit is named after Victoria Cross recipient Keith Payne,
who has played an active role in counselling sufferers
of PTSD.