Up to 35 percent more calls than on normal days reach the Viennese telephone advice service before Christmas. Many people fear losing their relationships or loneliness at Christmas. In the coming days, consultations will not decrease, predicts telephone counselor Antonia Keßelring to Radio Vienna. At Christmas “people have time and loneliness increases even more”.
On December 24, it wasn’t necessarily the number of calls that increased, but the intensity of conversations, reports Kesselring. “The callers are all overwhelmed. It is a lot of emotion, a lot of sadness – and we cry a lot”.
Christmas images often unrealistic
The fear and despair surrounding Christmas has different motives. “Anything that hurts all year round, ie deaths, separation situations or financial precariousness, hurts especially at Christmas,” explained Kesselring. When a perfect Christmas image is played out everywhere, it’s hard to suppress those feelings or sadness. The ideal Christmas world doesn’t really exist in very few families, emphasized the telephone counselor.
public christmas parties
Telephone counseling tries to support callers in coping with the holidays, while regular help such as therapy and counseling centers are cancelled. Kesselring advises making the Christmas season beautiful, even when you’re alone and adhering to your beloved rituals.
Each caller also learns a list of public Christmas parties. Christmas is celebrated on the 24th of December from 1 pm in the pensioners’ clubs in the city of Vienna, and some parishes also open their doors.
support in case of crisis
more on the subject
Rush to Online Counseling
“Before the blanket falls over your head, call us,” announces the phone counselor for the Archdiocese of Vienna’s offers of help. The 142 helpline can be contacted at any time during the holidays. The telephone counseling service also offers advice via chat, particularly used by young people.
Help for adolescents and young people is also available all year round through the number 147. The psychiatric emergency offers advice and support 24 hours a day through the telephone 01/313 30 in case of crisis.