By Justin Latif
Tauranga's support services are being stretched beyond their capacity as the effects of the post-Christmas blues pressure those in poor or violent families and those who struggle with addictions.
Phones have been running hot at the Alcohol and Drug Helpline and the food bank is expecting increases in parcel requests over the next few weeks.
A helpline worker said many people were experiencing isolation and flatness after the Christmas festivities and were calling for advice and support for mostly alcohol-related issues.
"Today has been just one call after another,"said the phone counsellor, who wished to remain anonymous.
He expected more calls a few days after the New Year's Eve revelry.
"People take a few days to get the courage to call," he said.
The food bank on Dive Crescent is only open for emergencies until January 3.
However, food bank secretary Glenn Spedding believes staff will experience a big influx on Wednesday as many people will have spent all their money on Christmas and New Year's celebrations.
The week before Christmas, the food bank gave more than 200 parcels away and was thankful for the extra donations received.
Staff were able to add extra goods to most parcels and are currently well stocked to handle an expected influx of parcel requests.
With many benefits not being paid for another week and holiday bank closures, he expected many beneficiaries to be facing empty cupboards over the next few days.
The Bay's women's refuges have also been put under pressure.
Police have reported being called to almost two dozen domestic incidents over Christmas and Boxing Day, with support services expecting even more problems around New Year.
Tauranga Women's Refuge advocate Maree Winders said that even though the refuge was full they expected it to get even busier.
She said they would be transferring families to other refuges outside Tauranga and would be calling on the support of other crisis services.
"It's usually after New Year's that it goes crazy," she said.
"A combination of bills starting to come in and an increased alcohol intake" were the factors that resulted in homes becoming violent, she said.
"Mums usually stick it out for the kids over Christmas but after New Year's it can get too much," she said.
Ms Winders believes there is urgent need for an increase in resourcing.
While they are considering opening another safe house in mid-2007, it may come too late for women in the region.
Tauranga Moana Victim Support service co-ordinator Claire Montague expects this time of year to be very hectic for her organisation.
As well as alcohol-fuelled violence, custody battles led to many issues.
Many parents and children were torn in different directions, causing much heartbreak for families at this time of year, she said.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from Bay of Plenty Times
Member of sacked council runs for mayor: 'There isn’t much I would do differently'
'The city needs to move forward and leave all that behind us.'