Georgie Parker Launches National Stress Down day

Release date: 10 Jul 2008

Seven times Logie winner Georgie Parker today launched Australia’s first national stress down day called Stress Down on 24/7.

Seven times Logie winner Georgie Parker today launched Australia’s first national stress down day called Stress Down on 24/7.

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.

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

Georgie Parker launched the campaign in her new role as Lifeline National Ambassador.

In launching the campaign, Ms Parker said that she knew what it’s like to feel the pressure of stress.

“We all get stressed at times. I understand how harmful stress can be to our physical and emotional wellbeing. I want to help get the message out that we need to take steps to stress down.

“I think it’s really important that we talk openly about emotional health topics like stress, depression and other issues that affect our mental health. That’s why I’m supporting Stress Down on 24/7.

“I invite all Australians to join me on Thursday 24 July, our national stress down day,in doing something fun and relaxing to stress down at home or in the workplace, and to make a donation to Lifeline so they can continue doing their important work,” Ms Parker said.

CEO of Lifeline Australia, Dawn O’Neil, said that we should not just accept that our lives today are more stressful than in the past.

“We need to look at ways we can take responsibility for our stress levels before prolonged stress causes harm to our physical and mental health,” Ms O’Neil said.

“That is why Lifeline devised the idea of a national stress down day. 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.

“Around Australia, Stress Down on 24/7 morning teas, luncheons and parties are being organised. It’s a chance for all of us to be seriously silly and cheerfully chilled out. Some people are even planning to wear their pyjamas and our stress down slippers to work,” Ms O’Neil said.

Also speaking at the launch were Stress Down Ambassadors John Brogden, who is patron of Lifeline NSW and Professor Ian Hickie, Executive Director of the University of Sydney’s Brain & Mind Research Institute.

Professor Hickie said that prolonged exposure to chronic, unrelenting stress is a killer.

“We need to urgently address the issue of stress both as individuals and as a society. We must opt in to do things to take control, rather than opt out because we are too stressed,” Professor Hickie said.

The event was held at National Rugby League (NRL) headquarters in Sydney. The NRL are supporters of Lifeline through their Rugby League’s One Community program. Prominent NRL players Greg Bird, Taulima Tautai and Joel Reddy also attended the launch.

Celebrities and sportspersons around Australia have shown their support for the campaign as Stress Down on 24/7 Advocates. They include Jon Farriss of INXS, Olympic gold medallist Lauren Burns, media presenter David Timothy Schwarz, Cronulla NRL player Ben Ross, actor Patrick Brammall and Rugby Union legend Joe Roth.

Stress Down on 24/7 will raise much needed funds to cover the growing costs of running Lifeline’s 24 hour telephone counselling line, which provides emotional support to over 1,200 people every day.

For more information on Stress Down on 24/7 or to make a donation to Lifeline, go to stressdown.org.au  Donations can also be made at any St. George branch in Australia.

Media Contact: Michael Byrne (ph: (02) 6260 8777 or 0412 690 429 )