The end of year holidays can be an exciting time for many, but it can have its own challenges and pressures.
Many organisations reduce their services around Christmas and New Years, but you can still find some support.
In this Community Conversation we will:
If you or someone else is experiencing a medical emergency, dial 000 and ask for an Ambulance.
You can also attend one of the hospital Emergency Departments:
North West Regional Hospital, 23 Brickport Road, Burnie TAS 7320
Mersey Community Hospital, Torquay Road, Latrobe TAS 7307
Launceston General Hospital, 274-280 Charles Street, Launceston, 7250
Royal Hobart Hospital, 48 Liverpool Street, Hobart TAS 7000
These services cannot help you in an emergency, but they can provide urgent advice and support.
Poisons Information Centre: 13 11 66
Strong Families Safe Kids: 1800 000 123
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
If you need advice, support, or you're not sure what the next step is, these services can help.
Alcohol and Drug Information Service: 1800 250 015
Family Drug Support: 1300 368 186
A Tasmanian Lifeline: 1800 98 44 34
Access Mental Health: 1800 332 388
Text the Effects: 0439 835 563
Below is a list of some local services and their opening hours during the holiday period.
We have worked to ensure this list is accurate, but please contact the organisation to confirm hours for the specific service you need.
You can find other services on our Help and Support page.
Alcohol and Drug Counselling Online:
Open
Open with reduced services (triage only)
Closed 25th Dec, 26th Dec, 1 Jan.
Glenorchy and Sorrell offices closed Friday 27th Dec.
Closed from 1pm on 24th Dec, 25th Dec, 26th Dec, 1 Jan.
Closed from 12pm on 24th Dec.
Open 2nd Jan.
Hobart: Closed from 2pm 24th Dec. Open 2nd Jan.
Launceston: Closed from 12pm 23rd Dec. Open 3rd Jan.
Devonport: Closed from 12pm 24th Dec. Open 2nd Jan.
Closed from 3pm 20th Dec.
Open 9th Jan.
Peer Support Forum (Turning Point):
Open
Closed 25th Dec, 26th Dec, 1 Jan.
Closed 25th Dec, 26th Dec, 1 Jan.
Salvation Army Tasmania Bridge Program:
Hobart: Intakes: Closed from 25th Dec. Open 2nd Jan. Community Groups: Closed until mid-January.
Launceston: Closed until 6th Jan.
Ulverstone: Closed 25th Dec, 26th Dec, 1st Jan.
Tasmania Needle and Syringe Outlets:
Varies. Enquire using the outlet list: https://www.health.tas.gov.au/health-topics/alcohol-and-drugs/needle-and-syringe-program
Open
Uniting Victoria and Tasmania:
Closed from 5pm 24th Dec.
Open 2nd Jan.
Closed 25th Dec, 1st Jan.
Reduced services.
Youth Family and Community Connections:
Head Office: Closed from 1pm 24th Dec. Open 2nd Jan.
Devonport Youth Accommodation Services: Open
Burnie Youth Accommodation Services: Open
Burnie Regional Alcohol and other Drug Services: Closed 25th Dec, 26th Dec, 1st Jan.
Devonport Regional Alcohol and other Drug Services: Closed 25th Dec, 26th Dec, 1st Jan.
Because this time of year can be challenging, it's a good idea to make whatever preparations we can to make things easier on ourselves. Sometimes even a single phone call can make a big difference.
Meridian Wellbeing and Directions ACT collaborated on a list of self-care tips to take care of yourself during the holidays. (Please note the links at the end of the factsheet aren't Tasmanian specific.)
Pivot Point have some extra tips on managing your alcohol and other drug use over the festive season. (Please note the links at the end of the factsheet aren't Tasmanian specific.)
First aid supplies are excellent to have around no matter the season, and a fantastic supply to have is Naloxone, the first-line treatment for an opioid overdose. You can access Naloxone from many participating pharmacies, and for free from some needle and syringe programs.
Counselling Online have some excellent tips on how to keep the peace during the holidays if someone in your family is using alcohol or other drugs.
There are places to turn for help during Christmas and New Years in Tasmania. There are also things you can try to prepare yourself and your family for any difficulty during this time.
Bookmark this page to keep it handy in case you need it.
From everyone at the Drug Education Network, we hope you have a safe and peaceful festive season.
