July 2008

 

Stress Down on 24/7 Edition

Georgie Parker says Stress Down Australia

Lifeline National Ambassador, Georgie Parker has officially come on board to support the Stress Down on 24/7 campaign. The seven times Logie winning Actress is backing the campaign and calling for other Australians to participate.

On Thursday 10 July, Georgie joined a host of other campaign supporters and spokespeople to officially launch the campaign in Sydney. Georgie was joined by Dawn O’Neil, CEO Lifeline Australia, John Brogden, Patron Lifeline NSW, Prof. Ian Hickie, Executive Director of the University of Sydney’s Brain & Mind Research Institute, David Gallop CEO of the NRL and NRL Players Greg Bird, Taulima Tautai and Joel Reddy.

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

Lifeline Australia is proud to be working with Georgie to convey positive messages about stress reduction, emotional health and wellbeing, and help seeking. For more information about Georgie’s role visit the Stress Down website: www.stressdown.org.au

So what are Australians stressed about? The results of our recent Stress Poll.

Lifeline Australia has released results of a recent Newspoll Omnibus Survey which has revealed that an alarming 91% of Australians feel stress in at least one important area of their lives.

We know that some levels of stress is normal and can even be a positive motivator. However Stress Down on 24/7 Campaign Spokesperson Prof. Ian Hickie of the Brain & Mind Research Institute says that “Prolonged exposure to chronic, unrelenting stress is a killer. We just cannot function under this sort of pressure.” Prof. Hickie goes on to explain that it is “important to develop strategies today to deal with the stress in our lives.”

Snapshot of Stress: Survey Results

• 72% of respondents in full or part time work cited Work as a cause of stress
• 67% of respondents cited Finances as a cause of stress
• 65% of Australian polled had stresses relating to concerns about their future
• Other life factors causing Stress that were polled were Health (55%) and Personal Relationships (41%)

Stars of sport, music and television support Stress Down on 24/7

Even the people that we as a society idolise, such as our well known sports stars, musicians and television personalities, experience stress in their lives. It’s only human and so are they. Quite often they are also dealing with added pressures such as media and public scrutiny, extended amounts of travel, and high expectations.

Lifeline is very lucky to have a host of high profile Australians that are getting behind the Stress Down on 24/7 campaign.

Campaign Advocates include; Jon Farriss (INXS Musician), Lauren Burns (Olympic Gold Medalist), Joe Roff (Past Australian Rugby Union player), Ben Ross and Greg Bird (Rugby League Players for Cronulla Sharks), Patrick Brammall – (Australian Actor) and David Timothy Schwarz (Media Presenter).

Visit the Stress Down on 24/7 website to find out what our celebrity Advocates think about stress and what they plan to do on Thursday 24 July.

Corporate Supporters Stress Down for Lifeline

Lifeline has secured some tremendous corporate partners for Stress Down on 24/7. Partner organisations that have seen the potential reach of this campaign and have come on board early include: Rugby League’s One Community, Orange Whip Films, Foxtel, Channel Nine and Val Morgan. All have provided a significant investment of resources or in kind products and services that have made this campaign possible.

Other corporate and media organisations that are providing support at various levels include: ActewAGL,, Channel Seven, Channel Ten, Creative Promotions, Herald Sun City2Surf, Mental Health @Work, Orima Research, New Idea, Newspoll, Woman’s Day, Holistic Services, Stage Addiction, Webster and ZOO Communications.

It is not too late to become an official corporate partner or supporter for the 2008 campaign. Lifeline Australia can offer our corporate partners and supporters a highly visible national campaign and great staff engagement opportunities.

If your organisation is interested to discuss opportunities please contact Shannon Anderson, Lifeline’s National Manager Corporate Relations via email: shannon.anderson@lifeline.org.au

CEO Message

Welcome to our special Stress Down on 24/7 issue of the Lifeline Australia newsletter. On Thursday 24 July, Lifeline will be hosting a new, national fundraising campaign. Funds raised will go towards covering the costs of our 24 hour telephone counselling line, to ensure that we can continue to connect people with care and vital services into the future.

Stress is something we all experience due to workplace challenges, family and relationship issues, financial pressures and concerns about our future. While some stress is normal, many people experience prolonged stress which can affect their ongoing emotional health and wellbeing, and even their physical health.

We hope that this campaign will give Australians an opportunity to consider the impact of stress in their lives, and to think about simple ways to reduce stress. It’s also an opportunity for us to highlight the importance of “stressing down” for our social, emotional and mental wellbeing.

I encourage all of our dedicated Lifeline supporters to take the time to support our campaign – there are so many ways to get involved. Read on to find out more…

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Put your feet up in a pair of Stress Down Slippers

The Stress Down on 24/7 merchandise range is now available for purchase online. The campaign signature slippers – as worn by our celebrity Advocates – are perfect for keeping your feet warm as you relax during these winter months. There are also other mementos on sale such as beanies, lapel pins and mugs. Buy them now via the Stress Down website, and show your support for Lifeline and Stress Down on 24/7.

Suggested Activities

How you choose to stress down and get involved in the campaign is entirely up to you. You may like to do something on your own or with a group of friends, family or colleagues. Some suggestions include:

• Host a stress down morning tea
• Go for a walk or organise a sporting event
• Encourage your workplace to have a "dress down" day with silly clothes or pyjamas
• Have a chill out zone at your office or organise a masseuse for the staff
• Have a movie night
• Do something fun or silly that is special and get your friends to sponsor you
• Buy Stress Down slippers, lapel pins, beanies or coffee mugs and wear/use them on the day
• Come up with something really different and tell us all about it!

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How you can get involved

There are three easy ways to get involved in Stress Down on 24/7. Choose the option that suits you:

1. Participate - Register online to conduct a Stress Down activity.
2. Donate - simply make an online donation
3. Purchase - Buy a Stress Down memento

All funds raised will go towards covering the growing costs of Lifeline's 24 hour telephone counselling service.
Go to www.stressdown.org.au to find out more and show your support

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