The holiday season can be a challenging time for many of us, and it's essential to prioritise our mental well-being, as any time of the year. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues during the holidays, it's important to know that there are support services available to help. Here are some vital resources and organisations that offer mental health support in the UK:

Hub of Hope

The Hub of Hope is a service supplied by Chasing the Stigma, a resource of local support services (and an app) that you can search to find relevant and readily available support near you, when you need it. 

With more than 1,800 local, regional, grassroots and national services currently listed, and that number growing each day, the Hub of Hope is the UK’s go-to mental health support signposting tool. 

It includes a “Get Help Now” function which allows you to talk directly to Samaritans or access text message support via Crisis Text line.

You can access the Hub of Hope website for FREE online or download for FREE from the App Store or Play Store.

Visit the Hub of Hope (https://hubofhope.co.uk) 

Free listening services

These services offer confidential support from trained volunteers. You can talk about anything that's troubling you, no matter how difficult:

Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours

Text "SHOUT" to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text "YM" if you're under 19

If you're under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.

Talk to someone at your local pharmacy 

Did you know that Pharmacists are trained healthcare professionals and can provide advice on medicines, including those used to treat mental health conditions. Some pharmacists can also offer information on local mental health services.

Find your nearest pharmacy (https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy) 

Mental Health Crisis Situation 

A mental health crisis is when you feel at breaking point, and you need urgent help. You might be:

• feeling extremely anxious and having panic attacks or flashbacks

• feeling suicidal, or self-harming

• having an episode of hypomania or mania, (feeling very high) or psychosis (maybe hearing voices, or feeling very paranoid). 

You might be dealing with bereavement, addiction, abuse, money problems, relationship breakdown, workplace stress, exam stress, or housing problems. You might be managing a mental health diagnosis. Or you might not know why you're feeling this way now.

Find the resource here; https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/crisis-services/

Mind also has information on ways to help yourself cope during a crisis.

This includes calming exercises and a tool to get you through the next few hours.

Go there now https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/what-can-i-do-to-help-myself-cope/

NHS Urgent Help for Mental Health 

NHS Urgent mental health helplines are for people of all ages in England and offers 24h advice and support for you, your child, your parent or someone you care for, for help speaking to a mental health professional or an assessment to find the right care for you 

Find NHS Helpline (https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline) 

You can call 111

If you are not able to speak to your local NHS urgent mental health helpline, you need help urgently for your mental health, but it's not an emergency or you are simply not sure what to do, 111 will tell you the right place to get help if you need to see someone.

You can call 111 or use the NHS 111 online service (https://111.nhs.uk/) 

Call 999 or go to A&E

If someone's life is at risk – for example, they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose, or if you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe you should call 999 or go to A&E. 

A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. You will not be wasting anyone's time.

In addition to these resources, here are a few tips for taking care of your mental health during the holidays:

1. Reach Out – Don't suffer in silence. Whether to family, friends, or a support service, sharing your feelings can alleviate some of the pressure you might be feeling.

2. Establish Boundaries – Set clear boundaries for how you want to spend your time and energy during the holidays. It's okay to say no to activities or events that may overwhelm you.

3. Practice Self-Care – Take time to rest, relax, and engage in activities that bring you joy and peace of mind. This could be reading, gentle exercise, or mindfulness practices.

4. Monitor Your Drinking – Be mindful of alcohol consumption, as excessive drinking can exacerbate feelings of depression and anxiety. If you struggle with alcohol, reach out for support.

5. Plan Ahead – If you know that the holidays can be a difficult time for you, make plans to take care of yourself. This might involve scheduling therapy sessions, arranging regular check-ins with loved ones, or preparing calming activities.

Remember that taking care of your mental health is a priority, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you or someone you know is struggling, it's important to reach out for support. The holiday season, with its unique challenges and expectations, can be a difficult time, but with the right support and resources, you can navigate it with resilience and self-compassion.

If you are feeling overwhelmed or in crisis, please don't hesitate to reach out to one of the support services mentioned above. You are not alone, and help is available.

Wishing you a peaceful and mentally healthy holiday season.