Lifeline is ready to help

Lifeline is experiencing its busiest time of year, and Australians are being encouraged to take time to plan for how they will cope with challenges over the coming weeks and consider whether they – or someone they know – might need extra support.

The national charity’s chief executive officer Colin Seery said the high volume of people reaching out for help over Christmas and into the New Year could reflect increased personal stressors in the community, such as heightened financial pressures, increased family conflict, loneliness and isolation or the grief of having lost a loved one.

“The holidays are a significant time of the year for people who need our help. This period can be an emotional and psychological minefield for those of us who have experienced loss, grief, struggle, isolation and pain.”

“The idea of togetherness traditionally associated with holidays can also exacerbate the intense loneliness many people feel.”

“Even those of us who are in a position to gather with friends or family find that it can bring its own set of challenges – family turmoil, the weight of expectations, old wounds and disappointment.”

He said Lifeline had prepared for daily peaks of up to 4,000 contacts across its 24/7 telephone crisis line, webchat and text services.

“It is really important that no one feels they have to face this holiday season alone. Please, if you feel you need support, reach out to someone you know or call Lifeline. Our Crisis Supporters will continue to be available on our 13 11 14 phone service as well as our text and chat channels, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

To ensure Lifeline has enough crisis counsellors available around the clock to support people in need, the organisation considers historical call number patterns as well as average call lengths and recently observed trends.

Contact volumes traditionally peak at about 5-6 per cent above average in the days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve and on the day immediately after the New Year’s Day Public Holiday.

Lifeline is promoting its 12 Days of Wellness:

• Acknowledge and accept your feelings
• Make space for grief and loss
• Focus on giving
• Recognise your signs of stress and anxiety
• Set (and maintain) positive boundaries
• Make a holiday budget that works for you
• Take time out for you
• Get back to body basics
• Practice gratitude
• Connect to combat loneliness
• Have realistic relationship expectations, and
• Remember you’re not alone.

Lifeline is also sharing two free Wellness Guides at fundraise.lifeline.org.au/shine-a-light, which outline a series of simple and useful tips to help relieve the stress, disappointment and loneliness that the holiday season can bring.

If you, or someone you know are feeling overwhelmed, Lifeline encourage you to connect with them in the way you feel most comfortable.

Speak to a Crisis Supporter by phoning 13 11 14, text 0477 131 114 or chat online at lifeline.org.au.