December Cards
Imagine spending Christmas and New Year’s on the psychiatric inpatient unit, while families and friends all over the world get together to celebrate. It would be easy to feel isolated and lonely – especially
as nobody can visit you due to COVID restrictions. Join us to let these patients know that we are thinking of them.
A small act of kindness can make a big difference.
1. Choose a card you like (Christmas or blank) or make a card, and fill it with a message of hope, kindness and solidarity. IMPORTANT: Please do not seal the envelope as we will insert a flyer explaining the project.
2. Place your card into the December card letter box at the Bendigo, Eaglehawk or Kangaroo Flat Library by Wednesday 15 December OR Post it directly to Bendigo Health by Monday 6 December. IMPORTANT: If posting please place into another envelope first, and leave the card envelope unsealed as we will insert a flyer explaining the project.
Send to: Bendigo Health, MHPDU December Cards, PO Box 126, Bendigo VIC 3552
Bendigo Health will deliver your card/s in the week starting the Monday 20 December.
3. Enjoy your Christmas, knowing that you have made a difference to somebody on the psychiatric inpatient ward.
Project Background
The December Cards Project (originally known as ‘December letters’) was started in the US in 2018 by sisters Jessica Lowell Mason and Melissa Bennet The December Letters Project – Madwomen in the Attic (madintheattic.org). The concept was brought to Australia in 2019 by mental health advocate Indigo Daya, and more than 900 handwritten cards were delivered to people in psychiatric units across the country that year The Christmas cards bringing light to Australians during their darkest days - ABC News. In 2020 Heidi Everett, a Melbourne artist and mental health arts advocate, brought it to the Austin psych unit with support from the Banyule City Council December Cards (heidieverett.com.au). With your help, we are bringing it to Bendigo in 2021.
If you need someone to talk to, call:
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
Headspace on 1800 650 890
QLife on 1800 184 527