Spread your Christmas cheer to others

MEDIA RELEASE - Spread your Christmas cheer to others

December 2016

The silly season is just around the corner and while Christmas is often a time of year to celebrate the year's successes, indulge in delicious Christmas treats and spend quality time with loved ones, it can also be a stressful and emotional time for many people.

"Christmas can be a joyous time with friends and family, but for some people can be a time of sadness or anxiety," said Shire President Wade DeCampo.

Statistics show that phone calls to telephone counselling services such as Lifeline, from people experiencing some kind of hardship, increase over Christmas. Social occasions, gift-giving and family gatherings around Christmas and the New Year can cause depression and loneliness for those that are socially isolated. Even for those with families, bringing different personalities under one roof at Christmas can be challenging and stressful.

Curtin University's Act-Belong-Commit team are encouraging Western Australians to reach out and help others this Christmas and suggest the following tips to spread Christmas cheer:

• Invite a neighbour or friend who will be alone this Christmas over for lunch;
• If you will be by yourself this Christmas, get together with others that may also be alone;
• Donate to charities that provide food hampers and gifts for those in need; or
• Consider volunteering to help those less fortunate during the festive season.

Councillor DeCampo explained how 'People helping people' was an old advertising slogan for a building society, but that it is relevant in modern day society, now more than ever. "Helping others builds strong communities and mentally healthy people and will also make you feel good, which is why volunteering can be so rewarding. It's these sorts of feelings that give us the coping mechanisms to better deal with problems and stress as they arise, especially at this time of the year," said Cr DeCampo.

For more mental health tips visit www.manjimup.wa.gov.au/actbelongcommit - alternatively, please phone the Shire of Manjimup Act-Belong-Commit Project Officer - Sharon Wilkinson -on 9771 7777.

-ENDS-

Authorised by Andrew Campbell, Chief Executive Officer

Contact Gina Nieuwendyk, Coordinator Communication and Executive Support

Contact: 9771 7777

Contact for comment: Wade DeCampo, Shire President.

Contact: 0427 094 081