{"id":92888,"date":"2014-12-22T17:21:26","date_gmt":"2014-12-22T07:21:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=92888"},"modified":"2020-08-20T17:55:01","modified_gmt":"2020-08-20T07:55:01","slug":"reach-out-for-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2014\/12\/22\/reach-out-for-help\/","title":{"rendered":"Reach Out For Help"},"content":{"rendered":"

December 22, 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

While Christmas is a joyful time for many, for some it can be the most difficult time of the year.<\/p>\n

Family situations, economic pressures and personal difficulties can all be exacerbated during the festive season.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service\u2019s Manager Rural Mental Health Services Tracey Morgan is encouraging anyone who is finding things a little bit difficult to seek appropriate help.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople deal with life issues differently and the available supports that a person can access will make a huge difference in achieving a positive outcome,\u201d Ms Morgan said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are a range of services available even over the Christmas and New Year period for those who need help.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople and communities need to speak up and ask gentle questions of someone if they think they are experiencing difficulties.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you or someone you care for is experiencing mental health problems or just having difficulty coping, there are a number of things you can do.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can contact your local GP, call or visit your local mental health service or emergency department, or if it\u2019s an emergency phone 000.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service has recently implemented a single phone number for contacting its mental health services.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cConsumers, families, carers, significant others, support networks and professionals who want to enquire or make a new referral in relation to the public mental health services of the DDHHS can now call 1300 MH CALL (1300-642-255),\u201d Ms Morgan said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur trained clinical staff will assess the caller\u2019s clinical needs and define the urgency of the required service, then refer them appropriately.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other options include Lifeline (13-11-14), Kids Help Line (1800-551-800) or 13 HEALTH (13-432-584) for the cost of a local call.<\/p>\n