Lifeline wants Australia to Stress Down on 24/7

Release date: 10 Jun 2008

Lifeline is asking all Australians to mark 24 July 2008 (24/7) as a day to engage in some stress reducing activities.

Thursday 24 July (24/7) will be the culmination of Lifeline’s new National Fundraising Campaign, Stress Down On 24/7.

CEO of Lifeline Australia Dawn O’Neil says that Stress Down On 24/7 will encourage people to have fun and engage in a stress reducing activity in their workplaces, on their own or with friends, in return for making a financial donation to Lifeline.

“Stress is major factor in our lives today. Some level of stress is normal, however research has shown that prolonged stress can be harmful to our physical and mental health. On 24 July we want all Australians to stop and think about developing positive habits to reduce stress and remember that help is available when times are tough,” Ms O’Neil said.

“There are any number of things people might like to do to stress down on 24/7 and by doing so raise funds for Lifeline. It could be as simple as dressing casually at work. You might have a masseur come in or the whole office could go for a walk at lunchtime.

“We can stress down at home just by doing a bit of exercise, listening to some soothing music or by thinking about what is good in our lives, not just focusing on the negatives.

“We are encouraging people to think of their own unique activities to stress down, and to participate on their own or with colleagues, friends or family. There are some great ideas to get people started listed on our website at stressdown.org.au

“This campaign supports two goals for Lifeline. Firstly to create awareness about emotional health and wellbeing and secondly to call for public financial support to ensure that we can continue providing vital, low cost services to the whole community.

“Lifeline’s 24 hour telephone counselling service continues to answer around 1,500 calls every day across Australia.

“The theme 24/7 was chosen to reinforce that Lifeline offers an essential round-the-clock service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

“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.

“We want all Australians to be socially, emotionally and mentally healthy.
  Stress Down On 24/7 provides people with the opportunity to think about their own emotional wellbeing and to develop strategies to manage stress,” Ms O’Neil concluded.

The 3 ways to be part of Stress Down On 24/7 are:

1. Create your own stress down event or activity. The Stress Down website has lots of ideas at stressdown.org.au
2. Purchase a special Stress Down On 24/7 memento such as a lapel pin, mug, beanie or pair of slippers. These can be purchased on the Stress Down website.
3. Make a donation to Lifeline via the Stress Down website stressdown.org.au
   

About Lifeline

For over 45 years Lifeline has provided access to mental health support services that connect Australians with care.

Lifeline connects people to care when it’s needed through a range of national and local services, including a 24 hour telephone counselling line - 13 11 14.

Lifeline receives over one million contacts from help-seekers each year via phone,
  web-based and face-to-face mediums. Dedicated volunteers also continue to answer over 1,500 calls each day on the Lifeline 24 hour telephone counselling line.

Lifeline delivers a range of national services that promote emotional wellbeing, encourage help seeking and deliver self help resources. Services that address more specific issues such as domestic violence, family and relationship concerns, financial counselling, suicide prevention and bereavement are also offered through a network of Lifeline Centres operating from over 60 locations Australia wide.

Lifeline’s work is made possible by the dedication over 11,000 trained volunteers.

Lifeline’s services are more in demand than ever before and this increasing demand is likely to continue.

Lifeline relies on community support to ensure that it is able to continue providing vital services that connect people with care, into the future.

Media Contact: Michael Byrne, ZOO PR & Events (ph: 02 6260 8777 0412 690 429)