Support during Christmas and New Year

Giovanna_BCNA · December 2019

Hello everyone,

This year, BCNA will remain open over Christmas and New Year with
skeleton staff to cover our helpline. The online network will be
moderated as per weekend moderation hours i.e. a couple of hours per day (morning
and evening). During this time some of the moderation team will be taking a
break from moderating and MichelleP will be moderating with backup from myself.

We understand that Christmas can be a particularly tough time.
Emotions can run high and we can react to things that we would normally brush
off. The online network has proven to be a fabulous place of support over the
Christmas period and can be a great place to vent about some of the challenges
of the holidays.

Please be mindful of everyone’s need for a little extra support
during this time and the importance of the community as a reprieve from day to
day life. This may mean sometimes having to bite your tongue and letting some
things go. This can be hard at times but important in protecting this space as
a bit of a sanctuary.

Its a good idea to see what services will be available to you over the Christmas and New Year period. These can include family/friends, your General Practitioner, treating hospital and medical team such as breast care nurse, Breast surgeon, Medical oncologist, Radiation oncologist, Chemotherapy day unit or medical ward. If your specialist is not available, there will be a registrar on call that can be contacted via your treating hospital (in a public hospital).

If anyone needs additional help during this time, the following services will be available nationally over the holiday period.

BeyondBlue

Call 1300 2244 36 24 hours 7 days a week

Trained mental health professional are
available 24/7 either via phone or their website.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Beyondblue also have a list of national helplines and websites

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/national-help-lines-and-websites

Life line Australia

13 11 14

24 hours 7 days a week

Telephone crisis support

https://www.lifeline.org.au/