Tis the season to feel lonely.
Sadly, Christmas can be the loneliest time of the year for many Australians.
Money worries, relationship stresses, family dynamics, comparisons with others – Christmas can be a ‘perfect storm’ of expectations, leading to increased feelings of loneliness.
In the coming weeks, Lifeline expects up to 4,000 people to turn to our crisis support services every single day. And we can only be there with your help.
Many people feel burdened or struggle with overwhelming emotions in silence, sometimes until it’s too late. By donating today, you could help ensure that everyone has someone to talk to this Christmas.
Every day, nine Australians take their own life, a heartbreaking reality that ripples through families, friendships, and communities, affecting countless lives in profound ways.
Your donation helps ensure Lifeline can offer hope and a listening ear to those who are struggling, reminding them they are not alone in their toughest moments.
Thank you for being here for those who need support, connection and hope.
Sadly, many people will feel lonely this Christmas.
Your donation can help someone feel less lonely these holidays.
Prefer to donate monthly?
Please contact our friendly Donor Services Team to set up a monthly donation.
Call 1800 800 768 or [email protected]
Meet Madisson
Navigating the holiday season can feel difficult.
Sometimes Christmas can feel like a ‘perfect storm’ of expectations, which can increase feelings of loneliness. Last year, eighteen-year-old Madisson was caught up in that storm.
“I was working at a trampoline park, my first job after high school. For weeks before Christmas, I saw all these families having fun together. But my family had gone away on holiday that year, so we wouldn’t be together that Christmas. I woke up on Christmas Eve and it just hit me – the gap between expectations and reality. The expectations of a happy family Christmas, like everyone was having in the trampoline park. And my reality. Spending the holiday alone.”
“It was heartbreaking. I felt so incredibly lonely.”
Feeling unbearably lonely, she reached out to Lifeline's text service at 9am on Christmas Eve. Exchanging messages with our crisis supporter, Madisson was able to find the connection she needed in that moment.
“It was exactly what I needed in that moment. Someone cared enough to listen to what I was saying, to recognise what I was going through.”
Madisson reached out to Lifeline a second time that Christmas Eve. She was feeling overwhelmed with loneliness and isolation, and struggling to stay safe.
A crisis supporter stayed with Madisson and empowered her by helping her to create a safety plan with coping strategies she could use until she found her way to safety.
Navigating the storm can be easier, when there’s someone by your side. That’s why our phone, text and chat crisis support services need to be available 24/7 throughout the holiday season, and all year round.
Please help Lifeline be here to offer connection and hope to people like Madisson this Christmas.
How Your Donation Helps
Your donation helps provide Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Your donation helps more people access safe, clinically-informed online support tools and resources to proactively navigate their wellbeing journey.
Your donation gives help seekers access to evidence-based safety planning tools and resources, to guide them to action and lower their imminent risk.
About Lifeline
Every day, nine Australians take their own life, a heartbreaking reality that affects countless lives. While each loss is deeply felt, there is hope in our collective efforts to prevent suicide.
Suicide prevention looks different for everyone. By combining our tools, resources, services, and support, we can work together to make a difference and support those at risk.
From crisis support to counselling to self-led support; Lifeline’s many services help to ensure that the diverse needs of all Australians are met and that everyone has support available to them, when they need it, in a way that best suits them.
We’re here for you.
Crisis Support
If you or someone you know needs crisis support, please call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14, text us on 0477 13 11 14, or visit www.lifeline.org.au/get-help for our online chat service. All our crisis support services are available 24/7.
Self-led Support
Supporting all people at all stages of their wellbeing journey, the Support Toolkit provides Australians with accessible and practical resources, as well as clinically informed and plain language information, they can access and use on their own terms.
Counselling
Lifeline’s counselling services provide free, professional support, no matter where you are in Australia. It's our commitment to support every Australian with the wrap-around care that best suits them.
