The festive season can be tough, but free mental health support is available
16 December 2024
The festive season is generally a time to celebrate, but for many people it’s the most challenging time of the year. COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN is emphasising the importance of prioritising your mental health during Christmas and the new year.
COORDINARE's Director Commissioning, Mental Health, Alcohol & Other Drugs, Melissa Neal encourages people to be self-aware of their mental and physical capacity and to set boundaries.
“Be honest about what you can commit yourself to. If you are feeling overwhelmed, voice those concerns to your family, friends, and social networks; you’ll probably be surprised how many people are feeling exactly the same way,” said Ms Neal.
“It’s common for self-care practices to be overlooked amid holiday preparations. Keeping up with key self-care habits like getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, limiting your alcohol intake and taking personal downtime can help you feel calmer and better able to cope with stress.
"Stay connected to friends, family and your support networks. Social connection also plays a vital role in maintaining good mental health,” Ms Neal said.
“Identify what your warning signs might be if you’re not traveling well, so your support network knows what that looks like, rather than keeping it to yourself.
“If you’re spending Christmas alone, it’s important to know there are ways to help keep you connected. Reaching out to your support network, national hotlines, or a small group of friends or trusted family can make a significant difference."
Should you, or someone you know, need support, there are a number of different avenues to obtain help:
- The Head to Health phoneline is a free service that will connect you to mental health support in your area. When you call 1800 595 212 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm, excluding public holidays), you’ll talk to a friendly mental health professional who will take the time to understand your needs and find support that is right for you.
- Walk into or phone a Medicare Mental Health Centre or Mental Health Hub in Bega, Moruya, Queanbeyan, Goulburn, Nowra, Shellharbour or Wollongong (details here)
- Speak to your GP about what you or your loved one is experiencing – they can offer you options for support in your local area or make a referral to someone who can help.
- A Beyond Blue mental health coaching service, New Access, is available across South Eastern NSW via face-to-face, phone or video call sessions. There’s no waitlist and it’s free. To sign up and register with a coach, call 1300 921 535 or visit their website.
If you or a loved one need crisis support, you can call one of the following services which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
- Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467
- Lifeline -13 11 14
- 13Yarn - 13 92 76
- NSW Mental Health Line - 1800 011 511
- Beyond Blue Support line - 1300 224 636
- Domestic and Family Violence Support Line - 1800 RESPECT
- Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
- QLife: 1800 184 527 (3pm to midnight)
- If someone is injured or at immediate risk, call 000 immediately.
Translating and Interpreting Service: For callers who require a translating or interpreting service. Phone 13 14 50 and ask them to contact the phone number of the service you want to get in touch with.
National relay service: For callers who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment. TTY/Voice Calls: Phone 133 677 and ask them to contact the number you want. Speak and Listen: Phone 1300 555 727 and ask them to contact the number you want.
Local health service festive season holiday hours available here:
| Health service | Holiday hours |
|
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Services Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service (IAMS) (02) 4229 9495 |
Closed: 20 December 2024 Reopen: 6 January 2025 |
|
1800 804 201 |
Closed: 20 December 2024 Reopen: 2 January 2025 |
|
South Coast Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation (02) 4448 0200 |
Closed: 25 December 2024 Reopen: 2 January 2025 |
|
1800 997 330 For after hours support call 1800 953 736 |
Closed: 23 December 2024 Reopen: 30 December 2024 |
|
Commonwealth Psychosocial Support (CPS) Program 1300 779 270 |
Closed: Public holidays (25, 26, 27 December and 1 January) Reopen: 2 January 2025 |
|
(02) 4227 3277 |
Closed: Public holidays Reopen: 2 January 2025 |
|
1800 843 539 |
Closed: Public holidays Reopen: 2 January 2025 |
|
1300 347 224 |
Closed: Public holidays Reopen: 2 January 2025 |
|
Complex mental health: Integrated Recovery Services (02) 4220 7600 |
Closed: 25 December 2024 Reopen: 2 January 2025 |
|
Complex mental health: Rural Outreach Mental Health Service Shoalhaven Family Medical Centres (02) 4421 7525 |
Closed: Public holidays Reopen: 2 January 2025 |
|
C2bMe in residential aged care facilities 1800 422 263 |
Closed: 25 December 2024 Reopen: 27 December 2024 Closed: 1 January 2025 Reopen: 2 January 2025 |
|
Drug and Alcohol Brokerage and Community Support Program 1800 997 330 For after hours support call 1800 953 736 |
Closed: 23 December 2024 Reopen: 30 December 2024 |
|
headspace
Young people aged 12-25 can also visit the headspace website to create a headspace account and speak to someone 1-on-1 via webchat, email or over the phone on 1800 650 890 - everyday between 9am - 1am EDST. |
Closed: 25 December 2024 (24 December in Batemans Bay) (12 noon, 24 December in Queanbeyan)
Reopen: 2 January 2025 (7 January 2025 in Batemans Bay) (8 January 2025 in Narooma) |
|
Medicare Mental Health Centres and Mental Health Hubs Head to Health intake phoneline - 1800 595 212
|
Closed: Public holidays Reopen: 2 January 2025 |
|
Low Intensity Psychological Therapies NewAccess (Wellways) 1300 111 400 |
Closed: Public holidays Reopen: 2 January 2025 |
|
Nana Muru 1300 727 957 |
Closed: Public holidays Reopen: 2 January 2025 |
|
Pathways Shoalhaven (Alcohol and Other Drug Services) 0439 106 025 or 0417 736 697 |
Closed: Public holidays Reopen: 2 January 2025 |
|
Sapphire Health and Wellbeing Service For Pathways Eurobodalla, Pathways Monaro, Sapphire Health and Wellbeing Service or Bega Mental Health Hub, call 0409 339 517 For Pathways Murrimbidgee or Pathways Goulburn, call 0409 245 148 |
Closed: Public holidays Reopen: 2 January 2025 |
|
Social Prescribing Primary Care Community Services (02) 9477 8700 |
Closed: 20 December 2024 Reopen: 2 January 2025 Note* there will be a skeleton staff available for existing clients over this time except public holidays. |
|
Suicide Prevention Aftercare (02) 4220 7600 |
Closed: 25 December 2024 Reopen: 2 January 2025 |