Mental health - be vigilant this Christmas

Dr Hambleton said that the Christmas season is a time of joy, celebration and family for most people but it can also be a time of sadness and isolation for others.

“The Christmas period can heighten loneliness, social isolation, financial stress, and other stressors, and this is associated with a higher use of crisis and support services such as Lifeline.

“Support services report that suicide and self-harm rates are typically high over the Christmas period.

“At the same time, there is increased demand on mental health services and support when they are not running at full capacity.

“It is also a busy time for public hospitals.

“Rural areas in particular feel the impact of reduced mental health support at holiday times.

“It is important that family and friends look out for any signs of mental illness and offer comfort to people and refer them to appropriate help where it is available,” Dr Hambleton said.

AMA Queensland (AMAQ) launched a campaign earlier in the year outlining signs of mental illness to look out for, which include:

• complaints of continued poor sleep;
• observations that a person is easily overwhelmed;
• the use of drugs or alcohol;
• a pattern of withdrawing from family and friends;
• problems performing at work;
• startling easily and declining invitations for social engagements; and
• increased or unreasonable irritability.

AMAQ also recently launched the Suicide Watch initiative to urge anyone having trouble seeing a way forward to see or phone a GP for urgent help. For more information about the campaign and identifying signs of mental illness, visit the AMAQ website at www.amaq.com.au

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22 December 2011

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