HELP is just a phone call away this Christmas with Brisbane archdiocesan groups, services and ministries working hard to ensure the marginalised, mentally ill or depressed are not forgotten.
In a timely reminder, Youth Off The Streets founder Fr Chris Riley said Christmas was a lonely time of the year for some young people.
“It can increase feelings of sadness and social isolation amongst disaffected youth who lack a sense of belonging,” he said.
“It is easy to get caught up in the silly season, but it is important that we do not forget those less fortunate in the process.”
Catholic Psychiatric Pastoral Care director Fr Jim Smith said it was not just youth who had problems at Christmas.
He said the centre closed on Friday, December 4, but members and those in need could still phone the office number.
“There will be someone to take calls and if it is after hours they can leave a message and someone will ring them back but really we advise people who need help to ring their nearest hospital and ask for the mental health service,” Fr Smith said.
He said the CPPC also had several social functions planned before Christmas.
“We have two Sizzlers outing for our members before Christmas and on Christmas Day we will have an 11:15am Mass at St Pat’s (St Patrick’s Church, Fortitude Valley) followed by a beautiful feast,” he said.
Fr Smith said parishes could support people with depression and mental by adding contact details for the Catholic Psychiatric Pastoral Care and the nearest hospital’s mental heath hotline to their newsletter.
St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland chief executive officer Peter Maher said one in five Queenslanders experienced mental illness and almost half of Australians between 16 and 85 have experienced mental health issues at some point in their life.
He said Vinnies saw an increased demand before and during the Christmas season, including escalating call volumes to their Helpline on 07- 3010 1096.
“Before the festive period begins, we work hard to identify individuals and families who are struggling or in significant stress and need special support,” he said.
Mr Maher said through its conferences Vinnies organised members to help alleviate some of the pressures families and individuals were facing by visiting “to offer material and social assistance and support”.
He said the Vinnies’ Helpline could connect a person calling needing support to a mental health emergency line.
Mr Maher said crisis support over the public holidays was limited, as St Vincent de Paul members were volunteers and some conferences close for several weeks from Christmas Eve to the early January period.
“Our Sunshine Coast-based Compeer program is one way we help support people whose mental illness is affecting their interactions with family, friends, and the community, or hindering their employment and day to day activities.”
“Compeer is a volunteer program helping people who are struggling with mental illness through friendships and support, matching volunteers in one-to-one friendship with people who have become socially isolated.”
He said during the Christmas period, unless volunteers were travelling, the connections made between them and the person they were supporting continued, with visitations and phone calls.
Mr Maher said in 2014-15, almost 300,000 Queenslanders statewide in need were helped by St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland, who provided almost $30 million dollars’ worth of assistance.
Rosies is also set to help out the homeless, marginalised and those with mental health problems over the Christmas period.
Rosies communications support officer Christian Pradayrol said Christmas celebrations for Rosies clients and others in need had already started in some branches and most would have a special Christmas function in the next few weeks.
“Christmas on the streets has already been held in Ipswich last week with other branches holding celebrations closer to the day,” he said.
Mr Pradayrol said planning had almost been completed for a sit down Christmas Day meal in Brisbane and the Gold Coast would host their luncheon on Saturday, December 19 with each branch organising its own Christmas celebration for clients.
“Anyone who is marginalised or feels lonely is welcome to join the celebrations,” Mr Pradayrol.
Fr Riley said Christmas was a lonely and sad time for those struggling with homelessness, mental illness and social isolation.
“Christmas was a good starting point for everyone to get involved in the community and give back to those in need,” he said.
By Robyn Williams
