By KATH GANNAWAY
BEYONDBLUE is urging people having a tough time over the festive season to contact the beyondblue support service.
Christmas is a time of joy for millions of Australians, for many others it’s a time of loneliness, financial pressure or family stress, but help is available – even on Christmas Day.
Beyondblue’s recently upgraded support service includes the only telephone/online service in Australia employing mental health professionals exclusively.
There is also an online chat service available between 4pm to10pm every day complemented by an email service that is responded to within 24 hours.
Beyondblue CEO Kate Carnell AO said the stress and pressures associated with Christmas and the new year may lead to symptoms of depression and anxiety in vulnerable people.
“If people feel they need help coping, they can contact the mental health professionals who staff the beyondblue support service on 1300 224 636, email or use the online chat service via www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support for free short-term, solutions-focused counselling. Users don’t have to give their name if they don’t want to.
“Having the opportunity to talk to a trained mental health professional and retain your anonymity, suddenly means that taking action to get help isn’t such a scary proposition after all,” she said.
“Around 1 million people in Australia have depression and over 2 million live with an anxiety disorder.
“Many people with these conditions remain undiagnosed and they don’t seek help because they think any type of mental health problem means they are weak, or alternatively they think their problems are just part of their personality.
“Check www.beyondblue.org.au or www.mantherapy.org.au, or contact the support service to take the first step to recovery,” Ms Carnell said.
Holiday tips
* Being alone when everyone else seems to be with their families may lead people to focus on their losses. Family separation as a result of distance, divorce or bereavement may bring back painful memories or evoke strong emotions. Social isolation is a risk factor for depression, so think realistically about the holidays and plan to spend time around people who can support you.
* If you feel down, anxious or fragile, it’s not a good idea to take drugs or drink alcohol to try to make yourself feel better. If you’re depressed or have an anxiety disorder, you can end up in a far worse place by self-medicating. You need to talk to a health professional about treatments that work.
* If you’re concerned about a friend or family member, common symptoms of depression and anxiety to watch for include a tendency to withdraw from activities, moodiness that’s out of character, doing things more slowly than usual or becoming angry easily. You can call the support service on their behalf.
