The organisation that is always there to support local people overcome their mental health challenges urgently needs community help to continue its lifesaving work.
Lifeline in the Central Coast has launched its inaugural Challenge Yourself for Mental Health campaign.
It is asking people to challenge themselves this October, during Mental Health Month, to raise funds for its local suicide prevention services.
Senior business development manager, Pat Calabria, said people can set their own challenge.
It might be giving up coffee or sugar, getting fitter, or making some space for better self-care.
Calabria said Lifeline was supporting many people to navigate the mental health challenges of living through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is an opportunity to challenge yourself to achieve better health or mental health while helping others to overcome their mental health challenges,” Calabria said.
He said with its retail shops closed during lockdowns, Lifeline Central Coast was facing its own challenges in responding to a 25 per cent increase in demand for its services.
“Many people don’t realise that while Lifeline receives some wonderful government and grant funding, local Lifeline centres rely on their shops, community donations and fundraising to keep all of its services running.
“We don’t want people to suffer in silence; we want to be there to listen and to offer hope and support to each and every person who needs us.”
Nationally, Lifeline takes a call from someone every 30 seconds and it expects to respond to more than one million calls for help this year.
As well as its 13 11 14 service, locally Lifeline provides free counselling sessions as well as bereavement support groups and other community programs.
All funds raised will go to Lifeline Hunter Central Coast services.
To sign up for the challenge visit www.challenge-yourself-for-mental-health-2021.raisely.com or get links from the Lifeline Hunter and Central Coast Facebook page.
Mr Calabria said people who don’t wish to challenge themselves but would like to donate can do so via
Lifeline’s website –
CentralCoast.lifeline.org.au.
Challenge ideas could be to learn something new such as a new language or hobby, get healthier by giving up or cutting back on coffee, sugar or alcohol, or get fitter by running, riding, walking or swimming.
A digital detox is another challenge idea – give up or cut back on screen time or social media.
Another is better self-care by challenging yourself to read some books or take up yoga.
If this story causes issues for you, call Lifeline 24 hours on 13 11 14.
Source:
Media release, Sep 28
Lifeline Central Coast