An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 35 our food, or a few beers with our friends when we are out are all part of our culture and our traditions. We associate it with having a good time, with sharing stories and songs, with meeting up with people we haven't seen all year and is a positive and healthy part of our lives. The downside of course is when enjoyment turns to abuse. While this is true all year round, it is especially so at Christmas, when we can be convinced that the normal rules don't apply, and that we can behave differently than we normally would. The truth is that alcohol abuse can damage us in many ways, in our relationships, our self-respect, our financial situation and our most dear and precious relationships. It is good practice to prepare ourselves and to get the right information about alcohol in advance of the Christmas period. Setting limits in advance and deciding on a safe and sustainable pattern of behaviour will help us to get the most out of Christmas while protecting ourselves effectively. It's a good idea to visit drinkaware.ie in advance. It is a super resource which allows us to get a clear picture of our drinking habits, to get super general information and to access tools for helping us to keep alcohol in the right place for Christmas. Christmas is not always a happy time for everybody. Some of us will be struggling in the middle of all the fun and excitement and celebrations. The cause may be mental health problems, health issues, relationships, finances or different life events. Any of these may affect our ability to enjoy Christmas as much as we would like to. It is a great idea to check in with anyone of our friends or family who may be having a tough time. We should never underestimate the value of a simple phone call, or a short visit, in helping people feel better and stronger. The LENA by INSPIRE confidential counselling service is available to all our military people throughout the year and especially at the Christmas period. The service is also available to our spouses and partners, and to any of our children over the age of 18 who are living at home. The number to call is 1800 817 433. The LENA by INSPIRE Support Hub is a super free resource available at lenasupporthub.com. You can access mental health tools and information that can be of assistance in planning your Christmas. Your PSS team can provide you with direct support and will help you access other services that are suited to your needs in a safe and confidential manner. This is the time of year when our thoughts will always turn to our Defence Forces colleagues who will be spending Christmas away from home. We think especially of the people in our battalion in UNIFIL in SOUTH LEBANON, or those of us deployed in so many other places throughout the world. Many of us will be engaged in security and other duties over Christmas and the Naval Service will continue to maintain a vital presence at sea. It is a great opportunity to show just what being in the military family is all about. I would ask everyone to take a few minutes to check in with your colleagues who are away from home and to make sure that their families are doing well. Any kind and considerate words, or simple gestures like helping with the shopping or putting up the tree, will always be appreciated and remembered. Your Personnel Support Service (PSS) are trained military people and senior occupational social workers, available in all locations within the Defence Forces. Our services are available to all military people and to their families all year round. Please feel free to contact your local PSS team at any time, to get some support advice, information or guidance, or just to say hello. Your information will be treated in confidence, and you can access services safely and with peace of mind. Whatever Christmas means to you and to your family, I hope that it is a time of joy and rest, of meaning and of fun. On behalf of all the team in the Personnel Support Service I would like to wish everyone happiness, success and peace in 2026. Finally, if anything that you have read in this article has caused upset, or if you would simply like more information on any of the points made, then please feel free to contact us at pss@defenceforces.ie. And remember that the Samaritans are always available at 116 123. God bless us all and may he protect you, your comrades and your families, this Christmas and always.

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