Red Cross warns of festive downside

Red Cross director of volunteering Penny Harrison says after a year of lockdowns and significant restrictions, it was not surprising people were feeling they had lost connections, were experiencing loneliness and were a little hesitant about the festive season.

"One in three people said they were less excited for the festive season than in previous years," she said.

"There are plenty of things everyone can do to try and make life a little brighter for people who are struggling.

"Pick up the phone and reconnect with someone you have not spoken to this year or check in on a neighbour who lives alone."

Red Cross senior drought resilience officer Jasmin Piggott said Christmas often brought up stress responses for people, especially if their compounding stresses have been happening in the regional community.

"Whether it is COVID, drought or fire, people are either still recovering from it or preparing for it," she said.

"It is the slow build up of ongoing stress and being able to identify it within yourself so you can start putting things into place to lower those stress levels and do things for your own mental wellbeing.

"One of the first things that goes if someone's stress levels are high - and they are not looking after their wellbeing - is the social connection.

"People start withdrawing from things."

Mrs Piggott says acknowledging this reaction and then checking in with people - via the phone if in a somewhat isolated location - was crucial.

"The Red Cross regional offices conduct a Telecross Redi service where they make daily phone calls to those who are lonely or isolated and wouldn't necessarily have those chats," she said.

"Red Cross conduct psychological first aid and help individuals to look after their wellbeing before they reach the next step, and is available for the whole community and a wide demographic.

"The wellbeing tool kit is on the Red Cross website, you can also ring the regional Red Cross offices to access the telecross support and tuck into the other support that is available as well.

"Everyone goes through things differently and Christmas is not always a happy time for some people depending on what has happened within their life previously so make sure you are aware of the emotions that might be around."

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Port Pirie Suicide Prevention Network chair Anthony North says he knows a lot of people do not reach out during early stages.

"To get those suffering with mental health go somewhere to source help and speak out; or by the time they are ready to speak about what is happening, they are in a really bad place," he said.

"SPN is a gatekeeper organisation, which brings awareness that suicide happens.

"We help people to acknowledge mental health lives among the community and people do get so lonely, they want to come up with a way out, which is not the best option.

"Most of what our role is in the SPN is not only having a conversation but directing people on to the organisations which are fully equipped, such as the Red Cross, Uniting Country, Country and Outback Health, and those sort of people."

Mr North said often times in Port Pirie someone may have attempted suicide and might be hospitalised for the night and released the next day.

He said, at the end of the day, these people would have been sent home with the exact same issues they had the previous day.

"There has just been a little bit of space between that attempt and another," he said.

"On average once you are in the system, the next time someone suffering would get to see someone is about three-months, which is a long time frame if you are in a space where you are already suffering.

"SPN raise awareness of the prevalence of mental health.

"We make mental health less intimidating so those suffering knows help looks like us and help is easy, it's accessible, and the people are good in the health and wellness industry."

Mr North says the first step someone needing help needs to take is making contact with their local SPN.

"After a good and kind conversation we direct to a stronger resource," he said.

"We are on your team, if you are in that space where you are going to ring someone - Lifeline or Red Cross spring to mind initially."

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