Helping others this festive season
The Christmas Treaty - Let’s join forces against wasteful gifts
Did you know…
53%* of Australians receive at least one Christmas gift they do not use and throw away, and
73%* of Australians would be happy to receive a donation made on their behalf instead of a physical Christmas present.
While most of us love the excitement of unwrapping a gift, many gifts received at Christmas can be naff or simply unwanted.
There is an alternative…The Christmas Treaty!
What’s the Christmas Treaty all about?
It’s simple. Christmas has turned into one big waste fest. We waste billions of dollars every Christmas on presents that nobody wants.
The Christmas Treaty is an agreement between two people, to help stop this waste and raise money for a good cause.
Instead of purchasing a dodgy present for your friend or relative, you both give the money that would have been spent on gifts to a better cause - Lifeline!
Steps to the new, improved way to exchange gifts this Christmas:
1. Visit www.thechristmastreaty.com.au
2. With a friend, family member or colleague agree NOT to give each other naff gifts that neither of you want
3. You both sign The Christmas Treaty
4. Both give the money you would have spent to a better cause - Lifeline
5. You both feel very happy and full of Christmas cheer
6. You can now eat a little bit too much turkey and fall asleep in front of the TV.
Let’s stop giving naff gifts and agree to give a good gift instead. Sign-up all your friends and family to The Christmas Treaty today at www.thechristmastreaty.com.au
*Macintosh and Rush (2005) Unwanted Christmas Presents, The Australian Institute.
Election commitment for Lifeline in NSW
A recent announcement by the NSW Liberal and National Parties has acknowledged the outstanding work Lifeline does in suicide prevention and counselling services.
The NSW Liberals and National Opposition has pledged to support Lifeline by providing $2 million in annual recurrent funding if they are elected in March 2011.
NSW Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell and Shadow Minister for Mental Health Kevin Humphries, made the announcement in early December, joining with Lifeline Patron John Brogden at the Lifeline Centre in Pitt St Sydney.
At the event, O’Farrell and Humphries praised the work Lifeline does in NSW.
"Lifeline does an outstanding job in preventing suicide and providing counselling services for people with financial, gambling and substance problems," Mr O'Farrell said.
"A NSW Liberals and Nationals Government will enshrine our support for this essential service and ensure each of the 15 Lifeline call centres in NSW receive assistance," he said.
Lifeline Patron John Brogden welcomed the commitment.
"Lifeline runs 'on the smell of an oily rag', so this $2 million a year ongoing commitment from the NSW Liberal and Nationals will make an enormous difference in our ability to train and sustain our volunteers,” Mr Brogden said.
Suicide prevention
Lifeline launches its Suicide Prevention Strategy as Government responds to the Senate Report into Suicide in Australia
Lifeline has welcomed the Government’s response to the Senate Report into Suicide in Australia and has called on all levels of government and the community to work together to fully implement the recommendations.
Lifeline was a key player in the establishment of the Senate Inquiry, and many of the recommendations found in the final report closely mirror those within Lifeline’s submission. Lifeline is grateful that the Government has listened to our experiences, the experiences of consumers as well as those of other stakeholders, to set reform in suicide prevention in Australia.
Lifeline believes that saving lives and providing caring support for those who have lost loved ones to suicide should be everyone’s priority. The Government’s quick response to the Senate Report and the important recommendations provided within it strengthens this notion. The report marks the beginning of a new chapter in suicide prevention in Australia.
Many of the specified priorities for suicide prevention are contained in the Lifeline Suicide Prevention Strategy which was released on 16 November 2010.
The Lifeline Suicide Prevention Strategy is an important document for Lifeline in shaping the continual improvement and expansion of our suicide prevention services to effectively respond to the needs of individuals, families and communities to prevent tragic loss of life by suicide. The Strategy is intended to inform Lifeline, our stakeholders and the community regarding our suicide prevention work and our vision for a suicide safer future. The Strategy outlines Lifeline’s commitment to a whole-of-community approach to preventing suicide in which everyone plays a role.
You can view Lifeline’s Suicide Prevention Strategy here.
If you or someone you know is thinking abut suicide contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. If life is in immediate danger please call 000.
Looking after yourself this festive season
This Christmas many Australians will be celebrating the fun and festivities of the holiday season with friends and family. However for others, Christmas can be a stressful and anxious time.
The expense of buying gifts, the pressure of last minute shopping and the expectations of family togetherness can all lead to feelings of stress. Feelings of isolation, loneliness and grief can also be heightened at this time of year.
To ensure you have a safe and happy Christmas it’s important to look after yourself. Be aware of your limitations and if you feel you are not coping, ask for help. Take steps to stay emotionally healthy so that you are not overwhelmed by the stress of the festive season.
Consider these helpful tips about coping with the stresses of the festive season so you can keep well during this time of year.
Quick tips for coping with the stress of Christmas
• Take time out for yourself; do something that makes you feel good.
• Try to avoid stressful situations or plan ahead to ensure you are prepared for them.
• Have realistic expectations and avoid placing needless pressure on yourself.
• Talk to someone – a family member, friend, your GP or Lifeline if you are feeling down.
During the Festive Season, Lifeline Centres around the country will continue to offer a range of services to support their local communities and Lifeline Volunteer Telephone Counsellors will continue to take calls on 13 11 14, 24 hours a day.
Lifeline also has a number of self-help resources online that you or someone you know may find useful this festive season.
A Christmas message from Tamra Mercieca
Christmas is a time to connect with friends and family. But this can be difficult for someone dealing with a mental illness, especially if they don't have a strong support network. People with depression, for example, tend to isolate themselves, cutting themselves off from the world, and festive times such as Christmas often exemplify the feelings of loneliness.
That's why Lifeline is such a great service.
It doesn't matter what time of day it is, there's always someone at the other end of the phone to help people get through the hard times; just having someone to listen to, to interact with, makes us feel more alive, and more engaged in the world.
As human beings, we’re meant to connect. When that companionship fails to exist, so too does our passion for life. Breaking out of the solitary confinement is made so much easier thanks to services like Lifeline. Speaking to one of their friendly counsellors, can be all it takes to raise a person’s spirits at Christmas.
Tamra Mercieca – Lifeline National Consumer Advocate
Lifeline would like to thank Tamra Mercieca and all of our Ambassadors and Advocates for their support and contributions in 2010!
Fundraising
Have you ever considered becoming a regular Lifeline donor?
Why donate to Lifeline?
Lifeline answers over 450,000 calls a year nationally and needs sustainable financial support to provide emotional support to anyone in crisis via 13 11 14.
Why donate regularly to Lifeline?
It is always wonderful to receive one-off donations from the public, but donating on a regular basis means that all money you give is received and put to work instantly. Regular donations also allow us to plan financially for the future and develop our ongoing work around suicide prevention services within Australia.
And don’t forget - all donations you give over $2 are 100% tax deductible.
Do it with a Debit!
Lifeline has recently introduced a new payment system allowing you to make direct donations regularly and directly from your bank account to the Lifeline Gift Fund. This has the advantage of not needing to continually update credit card details and is also a secure method of donation with little effort to set up and maintain.
If you would like to set up a reoccurring donation to Lifeline or find out any more information about donating using direct debit, you can contact us on 1800 800 768.
Thank you
We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas, and hope that you will continue to support Lifeline in 2011.
Many thanks to our dedicated staff, volunteers, donors, corporate supporters and partners for your generosity, commitment and hard work in 2010. Your contribution and support is essential to ensuring Lifeline continues to connect people with care.