Lifeline, Australia’s leading suicide prevention service, will provide support 24/7 to Australians over the summer. If you are feeling stressed or depressed, you can phone the Crisis Support phone line on 13 11 14, or use Lifeline’s crisis text (0477 13 11 14) and webchat channels, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“It is really important that no one feels they have to face this holiday season alone,” said Lifeline CEO Colin Seery. “Please, if you feel you need support, reach out to someone you know or call Lifeline.
“Whether it’s 3am on Christmas Day, or 11pm New Year’s Eve, know that Lifeline will be ready to listen and support you.”
Christmas and New Year is usually Lifeline’s busiest time of year. Contact volumes traditionally peak in the days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, and on the day immediately after the New Year’s Day Public Holiday – at 5 to 6 per cent above average.
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This time, Lifeline expects the next few weeks to be some of the busiest in their history; they are preparing for daily peaks of 4,000 contacts across their 24/7 telephone crisis line, webchat, and text services.
Mr Seery said the high volume of people reaching out for help at this time of year can 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 not always a happy, jolly time – in fact, for many, this time of year can be challenging and heighten feelings of isolation or loneliness,” Mr Seery said.
“Over the past two years, many of us have been coping, rather than thriving, and that is okay.”
Lifeline had record-breaking numbers of calls to its telephone crisis support line throughout August and September; at the height of the Canberra lockdown, Lifeline received 3,700 calls a day, 1,200 times more than pre-COVID.
To ensure Lifeline has enough crisis counsellors available around the clock to support people in crisis, the organisation considers historical call number patterns as well as average call lengths and recently observed trends.
To help people prepare for the challenging weeks ahead, Lifeline has a new, free Wellness Guide that outlines simple and useful tips to relieve the stress, disappointment, and loneliness the holiday season can bring.
Rest, relax, and reflect as you prepare for the start of a new year; listen to what your body is telling you; and set realistic expectations for yourself and others.
“We hope this informative Wellness Guide will give you the tools and resources to look after yourself and those you love – and no matter where you are these holidays, please know Lifeline is here for you,” says Mr Seery.
Download your free Lifeline Wellness Guide now to support yourself and the ones you love these holidays.
Lifeline expects to respond to over one million requests for support this year, creating an average of 120 safety plans to keep a person experiencing suicidal ideation safe every day.
To donate to Lifeline, visit www.lifeline.org.au/donate.
12 Days of Wellness
Taken from Lifeline’s Wellness Guide
These tips from Lifeline may help you look after yourself or those you love at this time. No matter where you are these holidays, Lifeline is here for you.
1. Acknowledge and accept your feelings.
2. Make space for grief and loss.
3. Take time out for yourself.
4. Recognise your signs of stress and anxiety.
5. Set and maintain positive boundaries.
6. Make a holiday budget that works for you.
7. Focus on giving.
8. Get back to body basics.
9. Practice gratitude.
10. Connect to combat loneliness.
11. Have realistic relationship expectations.
12. Remember you’re not alone.
