By Wendy Williamson
Help is at hand for Hills residents wanting to change their drinking habits, according to one local woman.
Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) has partnered with ‘Hello Sunday Morning’ and its ‘Daybreak’ app to support people to limit their consumption of alcohol.
Hello Sunday Morning is a not-for profit organisation which has worked with over 130,000 people and recently won the Google Impact Challenge for its innovative use of technology to address problematic alcohol use.
Its app has grown to be the largest online movement for alcohol behaviour change in the world.
The ‘Mail’ spoke to a hills local, who wished to be known as ‘Jess’ for this story, who said the app had made a huge difference.
I wouldn’t be where I am now without it,” she said.
“I would absolutely recommend it.”
She said the app eased her feelings of isolation, showing her that there were lots of people out there in a similar situation.
Through the app they support each other with ‘hugs’ or messages of affirmation.
“It’s amazing how much better you feel when you write down what you are feeling and share it,” she said.
She said the immediacy of the support offered by the app was a bonus.
“It can take months to get into rehab or counselling,“ she said.
“The app support is available straightaway and is an additional platform to any other support you are getting.”
EMPHN CEO Robin Whyte said data modelling in Victoria indicated 37 per cent of the population drank weekly, and 8.9 per cent of these required treatment to address harmful drinking levels.
“In the Eastern Melbourne region this equates to about 50,000 residents with potentially problematic alcohol use.”
