Changing Minds, Saving Lives In The Holiday Season

By Pamela Nathan

Holiday Time can be Danger Time! So be forewarned and then forearmed

How can this be?

1. Unrealistic expectations – of joyful, happy family and friend times when there may be family or friend issues.
2. Transitions – from work sites back to home sites.
3. Changing locations: from bush back to towns or cities.
4. The first Christmas – loss of family members or friends.
5. Changing times – family and friends have changed or you have changed.
6. Feeling:
   – displaced or not belonging
   – alone and isolated
   – troubled and helpless
   – down
   – jealous

7. Too much time on their/your hands.
8. High on drugs or drunk on grog.
9. Too much crazy impulse times.
10. All too much and more.

But remember

Most people do not want to die;

There are always solutions to problems;

They/You can talk;

Suicidal states of mind can be transient;

Helplessness can become hopefulness.

Saving Lives

You can change your mind;

Save the life of a friend or your life;

Make a contract to live;

Tell a professional or a family member of friend;

Don’t keep secrets;

Stay alive;

And be back for another year of work and the next holiday to be lived safely.

Immediate help:

• NT Police 131 444
  (ask for channel 2 Alice Springs)

Crisis Lines 24/7:

• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
• Mensline 1300 78 99 78
• Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467

Suicide Specific Counselling & Support:

• Central Australia StandBy Response Service
  Location: Alice Springs, NT
  Phone: 0439 842 155

• Top End StandBy Response Service
  Location: Darwin, NT
  Phone: 0418 575 680