Coping with Christmas
Remember to show yourself kindness as you set your own boundaries and maintain self-care at Christmas. This Christmas is a particularly challenging one, so reach out and know that you are not alone.
However you are spending this holiday period, I hope you make the time for rest, kindness and renewal, because you deserve it.
Mental Health Resources for the holidays
You might also find these resources helpful over the holiday period:
Coping with Christmas - Beyond Blue
LGBTIQA+ Tips for Surviving Christmas - Twenty10
Tips for Taking Care of Yourself at Christmas - Inner Melbourne Clinical Psychology
You and your Mental Health still matter at Christmas - Mental Health Foundation
It is OK to ignore Christmas - SANE Australia
Have yourself a Merry COVID-safe Christmas - The Conversation
Tips for when you feel Homesick at Christmas - ABC
Where to go for support
I know the holidays can be a time of joy, spending time with friends and family, however also for many can bring on complex and difficult feelings. If you are needing to talk to someone until we see each other in 2021, please keep the following services in mind:
Lifeline: Online or 13 11 14 (24/7)
Trained counsellors offering crisis support and suicide prevention.
Rainbow Door/Switchboard Victoria: Online or 1800 729 367 (10am – 6pm, everyday).
QLife: Online or 1800 184 527 (3pm - midnight, everyday).
Both Rainbow Door and QLife provide peer-driven support services, counselling and referral for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people, their families, allies and communities.
Directline: Online or 1800 888 236 (24/7)
Confidential alcohol & drug counselling and referral in Victoria
Support Act: Online or 1800 959 500 (24/7)
The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline is a free, confidential counselling service that is available to anyone working in Australian music (all genres), or the Australian Performing Arts, who needs to talk to someone about any aspect of their wellbeing.
1800 Respect: Online or 1800 737 732 (24/7)
confidential phone and online counselling to support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.
With Respect: Online or 1800 LGBTIQ (1800 542 847). See website for times.
provides support, telecounselling and referral for those in the LGBTIQ community experiencing difficulty in their relationships, including family and intimate partner violence. Also provides resources, tips and advice on having and maintaining healthy relationships.
