By: Mike Crooks
Christmas is about joy, peace and giving. But while many come together to celebrate, the festive season can be exceptionally hard for some.
In an open letter, Beyond Blue’s CEO Georgie Harman is reminding Australians that not everyone has someone with whom to share Christmas.
“The season to be merry can also amplify feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially for those who are separated from family or have lost a loved one,” the letter read.
Isolated at Christmas
Beyond Blue’s clinical spokesperson Dr Luke Martin said that for people experiencing loneliness, Christmas can be an especially hard time.
“Because Christmas magnifies the sense of being isolated,” he said. “It can also be a time when we feel heightened grief around the loss of loved ones.”
For others, Christmas Day comes with emotional stress and pressure.
Beyond Blue’s CEO Georgie Harman is reminding Australians that not everyone has someone with whom to share Christmas.
“It can be a tough time of year for many people because it’s such an emotionally loaded time,” Dr Martin said.
“There are so many expectations and pressures about having ‘the perfect Christmas’, and it’s a time that can bring greater financial pressures and place strain on relationships.”
In the letter, Ms Harman writes that people don’t have to face this time alone – even on December 25.
“The Beyond Blue Support Service is free, confidential, and available around the clock, including on Christmas day,” she wrote.
Cost-of-living stress
Christmas aside, Dr Martin says that Beyond Blue has seen an increase in the need of its services this year.
“During the last twelve months we have seen a gradual increase in the number of people reaching out to us, more so in the last six months, which we think is mainly being driven by cost-of-living pressures,” he told Hope 103.2.
“At this time of year, we also see an uptick in conversations on our online peer forums about the stress of the festive season.”
People don’t have to face this time alone – even on December 25.
Trained counsellors
For help, Beyond Blue can either be accessed by phone – 1300 22 46 36 – or online for an anonymous chat.
Either way, a trained counsellor is ready to listen – or help begin a conversation.
“So, as we head into the holiday break, regardless of what you’re dealing with, please know that you don’t have to face this time alone,” Ms Harman said in the letter.
“And if you’re unsure of what to say, or how to express yourself, don’t let that put you off. It’s really common to put off seeking help because we can’t quite find the words to express our needs.
“But when you contact us, you don’t have to know what to say. Our skilled counsellors will meet you where you’re at and guide you towards where you need to be.”
For help, Beyond Blue can either be accessed by phone – 1300 22 46 36 – or online for an anonymous chat.
More services
Other services that people can reach out to this festive season include –
- Lifeline 13 11 14 / lifeline.org.au
- Suicide Line 1300 651 251 / suicideline.org.au
- Reach Out (online chat support for young people) – au.reachout.com
The Letter
See below for the full “Letter to the Editor”, from Beyond Blue’s CEO Georgie Harman:
Dear Editor,
The festive season can be a joyous time for many people, as they take a well-earned break from work and school and spend time with family and friends. It’s a time to rest and reset for the new year.
Yet for others, this time of year can be particularly difficult, and the holidays may not feel “jolly” at all. It can bring additional financial pressures, relationship strain, or pressure to host the perfect Christmas. The season to be merry can also amplify feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially for those who are separated from family or have lost a loved one.
So, as we head into the holiday break, regardless of what you’re dealing with, please know that you don’t have to face this time alone.
The Beyond Blue Support Service is free, confidential, and available around the clock, including on Christmas day. You can call 1300 22 46 36 or chat online to us at www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support.
It’s really common to put off seeking help because we can’t quite find the words to express our needs.
But when you contact us, you don’t have to know what to say. Our skilled counsellors will meet you where you’re at and guide you towards where you need to be.
And finally, a big thank-you to everyone who has donated to Beyond Blue this year. Our support service is run purely on donations, so your kindness and generosity allow us to always be there when people need us the most.
Georgie Harman, CEO of Beyond Blue
If you need support contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au.
Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.
Feature image: Canva
About the author: Michael Crooks is a senior journalist and former news editor of Who magazine. His work has appeared in People, Marie Claire, The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, news.com.au, Qantas magazine and more.
About the Author: Beth Rivers is a digital manager and writer from Sydney, Australia.