Centacare NENW in Tamworth, New South Wales | Mental health service

Centacare NENW

Locality: Tamworth, New South Wales

Phone: +61 1800 372 826

Address: 201 Marius St 2340 Tamworth, NSW, Australia

Website: http://www.centacarenenw.com.au

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• Non-profit organisation
• Mental health service

25.01.2022 It's November, which means that the Christmas decorations have been in the shops for nearly 2 months now, and sometime this month the carols will start playing. The kids are asking when they can have their Santa photo and you furiously comparing calendars to try to see everyone on Christmas Day - "Oh, you're available between 3.15 and 3.30. That's perfect, we'll pop in on our way home from Nanna's at lunchoh, you mean AM, not PM?!" Some of us revel in Christmas decorations... are up, Christmas music is played, and the house smells of nutmeg and cinnamon as soon as we hear the first carol in the shopping centre. For others this time of year is stressful full of anxiety. Christmas music sends us back to bed, to pull the covers up and wait it out until January, Australia Day"When does school go back?". This month we will be posting useful hints and tips to help you and your family get through the silly season. Christmas can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. A little bit of planning, organisation and forethought and you will get through this year’s silly season relatively unscathed. Centacare NENW is not a crisis centre. If you need immediate assistance you can call: Triple 0 (000) Lifeline (13 11 14) Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) Mens Helpline (1300 789 978) Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467) Mental Health Access Line (1800 011 511) headspace Phone Counselling (1800 650 890)

24.01.2022 Centacare NENW remains open, offering a number of service options for your and your family. Centacare NENW continues to provide face-to-face support from all of our 9 offices, or as an alternative, can provide telephone or videoconferencing sessions to suit you. We are requesting that clients not enter our offices if they are feeling unwell and that they call us first for options. ... Call 1800 372 826 to find out how we can support you.

22.01.2022 Christmas Tip 3: Shop early, and don’t forget to take your list and budget. Shopping at the last minute will ensure you are caught up in crowds, and potentially panic buying. Shopping early also means that if you need to get something delivered you won’t run out of time before the big day.

20.01.2022 Centacare NENW remains open, offering a number of service options for your and your family. Centacare NENW continues to provide face-to-face support from all of our 9 offices, or as an alternative, can provide telephone or videoconferencing sessions to suit you. We are requesting that clients not enter our offices if they are feeling unwell and that they call us first for options. ... Call 1800 372 826 to find out how we can support you.

20.01.2022 Today's Action for Happiness gem: Ask other people about things they've enjoyed recently - you might pick up a few ideas to try new things.

19.01.2022 Christmas Tip 1: Write a list of all the people you need to buy for and then decide: do you really need to buy for all of these people? Christmas is a great way to show your family and friends that you care, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money. Aunt Betty would probably love a homemade fruit cake (or card, or drawing, or ) as much as that $50 necklace with a lady beetle on it.

17.01.2022 Today's Action for Happiness gem: Challenge your negative thoughts and look for the upside.

16.01.2022 Christmas Tip 4: If you are hosting during the Christmas season, plan your menu in advance. Some stores have sales on ‘Christmas’ foods in the weeks leading up to the 25th that you won’t be able to get on Christmas Eve. Plan ahead and save some dollars. Just make sure that whatever you buy will keep until the day, or can be frozen.

15.01.2022 Christmas Tip 7: Regardless of your family make-up, there always seems to be tension at Christmas time. Whether it’s an old grudge, a new expectation (yours or theirs), a changed family dynamic or something else, Christmas seems to bring it to the surface with more ‘Family Time’ than usual. a. For an old grudge if you won’t be seeing the other party, leave it alone. If you will, see if you can clear the air prior to Christmas. Sit down with them and talk it out. If you cann...ot come to a solution, make a pact that you will call a truce for the Christmas festivities not just for your sake but for the whole family. b. Be realistic about what (and how much) you can do at this time of year. Time seems to speed up, leaving nowhere near enough time to visit Uncle John’s ex-next door neighbour who used to give you lollies as a kid (40 years ago) and now lives an hour away. While Uncle John (or you) might have this expectation, make sure it isn’t adding unnecessary pressure. c. New family dynamics can make this time of year challenging. Whether you (or someone in your family) have recently separated, partnered up, had a baby, or lost a loved one, understand that what may have happened for the past 5 years may not be possible this year. Separated parents will need to talk about how they are working the logistics of Christmas Day with the kids, blended families will have the added challenge of additional parents (and where is the dog celebrating this year?). Talk about things early so everyone can get organised and make appropriate plans, and if you just cannot make an event, be honest about why and suggest alternative times to get together.

12.01.2022 Christmas Tip 8: Christmas is the time when it seems like everyone has a partner, a happy family, a dog. Everyone but you that is. The feeling of loneliness is heightened at Christmas time. You were happy with the state of your life in September, but come mid-November and you are trolling the online dating apps and scrolling through the rescue kittens site. Both partners and kittens are big commitments and shouldn’t be entered into just because it’s Christmas time. If you ar...e feeling lonely, try: a. Volunteering. Local churches, shelters and charity groups always need help at this time of year. b. Hosting an orphan’s supper. You might be surprised how many people spend Christmas alone. This might be because their family is overseas or interstate. With COVID, it might just mean that they cannot travel to see them. Host a potluck (remember your budget) where anyone who is on their own brings a plate to your place for food and fun (Cluedo anyone?). c. If your friends and family are overseas, arrange for a Zoom, Skype, of FaceTime Christmas all of these apps are able to conference chat, so get everyone together, fill up your glass and have a virtual get together. (Also good for any of those friends self-isolating) See more

12.01.2022 Christmas Tip 2: Create a Christmas gift budget and stick to it. January will be hard if you overspend, so try to identify a realistic budget for all your gifts and take it with you when you go shopping.

10.01.2022 Today's Action for Happiness gem: Go to bed in good time and give yourself time to recharge.

10.01.2022 Christmas Tip 6: Don’t fall into the trap that bigger is better when it comes to decorating at Christmas time. A minimalist look can be just as festive. Think ‘Stickmas Tree’, a handful of decorations and a cinnamon candle on the table. A subtle atmosphere, rather than a kick in the face. Making decorations can also bring family and friends together perhaps you can make some during your potluck? Google minimalist Christmas decorations for ideas. Alternatively, if you like to have ‘new’ decorations each year, host a Decoration Swap with your family and friends. As new decorations, zero cost.

08.01.2022 Today's Action for Happiness gem: Try out something new to get out of your comfort zone. When was the last time you tried something new? Started a new hobby, tried a new activity?

07.01.2022 Christmas Tip 5: Alternatively, make your event a potluck. Having everyone bring a dish means less stress for you and provides everyone with more variety. For parties where people may not know each other, it also works as an ice-breaker, So, what dish did you bring?, Oh, that packet of Caramel Tim Tams. I can’t cook.

07.01.2022 From our family to yours - Centacare NENW wishes you all the best this Christmas and a safe and joyful new year.

06.01.2022 It's November, and Christmas is just around the corner. Are you eagerly awaiting it, or dreading the thought? Most Christmas stressors can be categorised into one of three groups: 1. Money who to buy gifts for, and how much to spend. Can you afford to fly to visit Nan, and what about the extra hours that work wants you to do. The money would be good, but the time 2. Family tension family time v me time. Sometimes this is a no-win proposition.... 3. Loneliness even if you are in a couple, or have a big, close family, you can feel lonely at Christmas. Coping strategies during this time tend to focus on drinking too much, eating too much, spending too much or all of the above. All of these strategies impact your mental health and wellbeing, and not in a good way. Better ways of coping include eating healthy, exercising, taking time out to relax, being mindful and getting plenty of sleep. If you find that you need to talk to someone this season, or at any time of year, Centacare NENW has psychologists across the New England North West region for face to face or video appointments. Speak with your GP about getting a referral or call us to find out about other pathways.

02.01.2022 Today's Action for Happiness gem: Put away digital devices and focus on being in the moment. COVID brought us increased screen time - self-isolation and social distancing meant we had an excuse to binge watch television, and working from home meant zoom meetings and skype calls. Try switching off for a time (doesn't have to be long) and connect with people IRL.

01.01.2022 Today's Action for Happiness gem: Get back in contact with an old friend you miss. With social distancing and social opportunities reduced during 2020, many of us have lost touch with some of our friends and mates. Touch base again and catch up, even if it's just over the phone.