Festive season and holiday “Blues”
Published on 14 December 2023
How to stay well over the holiday period and where to find help and support when you need it.
For many people, days such as Christmas are wonderful occasions, with BBQs, friends, concerts, outings and holidays. But for many others these days can be a very lonely and difficult as they can magnify financial issues, family conflict, loneliness, grief and can also increase stress for people with any emotional hardship, anxiety or depression.
If you are one of the many of us who find these times difficult, for whatever reason, you do not need to be alone, there is help and support available to you.
“We need to check in on ourselves and be honest with how we feel. We can be too proud, embarrassed or shy or don’t want to burden others to ask for an ear or to seek the help that we need,” said Federation Council Mayor Cr Pat Bourke.
Simply being honest with ourselves, something that we all find so difficult, it makes such a big difference. It allows us to step forward onto a path that provides the support and direction we need and ultimately one that can help to make a positive change for ourselves.
What is the old saying, “sharing our troubles is a problem halved”.
Federation Primary Prevention and Community Drug Action Team member, Briony Willett, said, “if you are feeling like you may need help and support, or you have a friend or family member who does, local organisations have welcoming, understanding and caring people and services who are there to assist you, it just takes one phone call.”
“There are several support services and community programs and networks available to the local community within the Federation Council area.”
“Please make contact with one, and if it isn’t the right one, they will help point you in the right direction.”
Cr Pat Bourke added, “importantly, don’t forget to check in on each other, your neighbours and community members, mates, family members and co-workers.”
Festive Season Survival Tips!
- Connect with others – Reach out to your family, friends, neighbours, local community groups. Feeling connected is a great support for one another, especially during more challenging times.
- Seek quiet amongst the hype - Let the world slow down for a moment!! Take time for you to collect your thoughts and relax. Recreation, exercise and immersing yourself in nature, are all wonderful feel-good tonics.
- Manage the to do list - A list of the “must do” and “would like to do if I am up to it” items could be helpful in managing your own expectations and responding to others expectations.
- Bring joy to yourself and others - Importantly, embrace the joy within our everyday lives, no matter how small or large, these moments can be life changing! Consider also contributing acts of kindness to others, is amazing how it leaves you feeling!!
- Acknowledge how you are feeling – Feeling stressed? It can be helpful to write your feelings down, maybe try a daily or weekly journal. Learn how to manage stress conflict with others such as family members. Seek help from local services or helplines – there is no shame in this, they want to help.
Local support services and networks are available to the local community
Wayahead Local Directory
24 hour help line and telephone support services
- If you are concerned for your safety or the safety of others, seek immediate assistance by calling Triple Zero (000).
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Line 1800 659 467
- BeyondBlue 1300 224 636
- Elder Abuse Helpline 1300 651 192
- Family Drug Support 1300 368 186
- GambleAware 1800 858 858
- Homeliness Line 1800 78 99 78
- Mensline 1300 789 978
- Mental Health Access Line (NSW) 1800 011 511
- National Alcohol and other Drugs Hotline 1800 250 015
- KidsHelpline 1800 551 800
- National Debt Hotline 1800 007 007
- Qlife 1800 184 527
- 13Yarn 13 92 76
- 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732.
Alcohol and drug support
“Good Mates Save Lives” so in a suspected overdose call Triple Zero (000).
Please remember the emergency services are more concerned with saving a life rather than locking someone up.
In an emergency, you should:
- Call for help and don’t leave the person
- Keep calm and reassure the person and don’t make them vomit
- Try to identify the substance taken, let the ambulance officer know and don’t give them anything to eat or drink.
Know your standard drinks
