Australia's First National Stress Down Day Tomorrow

Release date: 23 Jul 2008

Thousands of people around Australia are expected to take time out tomorrow Thursday 24 July to take part in the nation’s first national stress down day.

Stress Down on 24/7 is a national campaign from Lifeline Australia designed to encourage all Australians to stop and think about developing positive habits to reduce stress.

Tomorrow Thursday 24 July (24/7) Lifeline wants all Australians to put stress aside for the day and enjoy some fun stress reducing activities in return for making a financial donation to Lifeline.

Lifeline Australia CEO, Dawn O’Neil, reports that Lifeline Centres in over 60 locations throughout Australia are receiving positive response from their local communities to Stress Down on 24/7.

“There has also been a great response nationally from corporate partners and workplaces who will be stressing down in their offices tomorrow,” Ms O’Neil said.

“Stress and emotional health are serious issues, but we really want people to have some fun tomorrow and to participate in activities with friends, family, colleagues or on their own.”

“We’ve heard about all sorts of activities that are happening around the country. Some people are holding morning teas or dinners, some are conducting relaxation activities like yoga, while others are doing something quite silly like wearing their pyjamas to work.”

“There are any number of things that people can still do to get involved. It isn’t too late to join in. People may simply want to take some time out tomorrow to do something that is relaxing to them, like going for a walk or reading a book.”

“We just ask that they consider making a donation to Lifeline when they do this,”
Ms O’Neil said.

All funds raised from Stress Down on 24/7 will go towards covering the growing cost of running Lifeline’s 24 hour telephone counselling line. This service connects over 1,200 people with emotional support every day.

Ms O’Neil went on to say that without the support of the community this service would not be possible.

“It is vital that we all work together to ensure that Lifeline’s telephone counselling service is available to anyone who needs it, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Ms O’Neil added.

A Newspoll Omnibus Survey recently released by Lifeline indicates that 91% of adult Australians feel stress in at least one important area of their lives.

“Australia needs to urgently address the toll that stress is taking on our physical and emotional wellbeing,” Ms O’Neil continued.

“Research has shown that prolonged exposure to chronic, unrelenting stress is a killer. We just cannot function under this sort of pressure. We need to urgently address the issue of stress both as individuals and as a society.”

“We must develop strategies, today, to deal with and reduce the level of stress in our lives. We have to bring balance back into our lives.”

“Beyond raising much needed funds for Lifeline, we’re hoping that Stress Down on 24/7 will encourage all Australians to consciously take steps to look after their own wellbeing for the longer term,” Ms O’Neil concluded.

To make a donation to Lifeline and get involved in Stress Down on 24/7 visit www.stressdown.org.au

Donations to Lifeline can also be made at any St. George branch in Australia.

Media Contact: Enita Hampton (ph: 02 6215 9406 or 0434378939)

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