Christmas and mental health
Learn how Christmas might affect your mental health. Find tips on how to cope and ways to support someone else.
Useful contacts
Other organisations
Age UK (England)
0800 678 1602
ageuk.org.uk
Information and support for older people.
Age UK’s English helpline is open 8am to 7pm, every day of the year.
Age Cymru (Wales)
0300 303 44 98
ageuk.org.uk/cymru
Information and support for older people in Wales.
Beat
0808 801 0677 (England)
0808 801 0433 (Wales)
beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Offers information and advice on eating disorders, and runs a supportive online community. Also provides a directory of support services at HelpFinder.
Beat's helplines are open 365 days a year from 1pm to 9pm during the week, and 5pm to 9pm on weekends and bank holidays.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
0800 58 58 58
thecalmzone.net
Provides listening services, information and support for anyone who needs to talk, including a web chat.
CALM's helpline and webchat are open from 5pm to midnight, every day of the year.
Combat Stress
0800 1381 619
combatstress.org.uk
Treatment and support for armed forces veterans who have mental health problems.
Combat Stress’s helpline is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
The Compassionate Friends
0345 123 2304
tcf.org.uk
Provides support to bereaved families after the death of a child.
The Compassionate Friends helpline is open from 10am to 4pm, and 7pm to 10pm, every day of the year.
Cruse Bereavement Support
0808 808 1677
cruse.org.uk
Information and support after a bereavement.
The Cruse helpline is open Monday to Friday, from 9:30am. The closing time varies per day, from 5pm to 8pm. You can check Cruse's helplines page for more information about their opening hours.
LGBT Foundation
0345 3 30 30 30
lgbt.foundation
Advice, support and information for people identifying as LGBTQ+.
The LGBT Foundation helpline is open on weekdays 9am to 9pm and weekends 10am to 5:30pm.
Men's Advice Line
0808 801 0327
mensadviceline.org.uk
Confidential advice and support for men who have experienced domestic violence and abuse by a current or ex-partner or family member.
The Men's Advice Line is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm.
MoneyHelper
0800 138 7777 (English)
0800 138 0555 (Welsh)
18001 0800 915 4622 (text relay)
moneyhelper.org.uk
Provides free and impartial money advice.
The MoneyHelper helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. The helpline is closed on bank holidays.
The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)
0808 801 0331
[email protected]
napac.org.uk
Supports adult survivors of any form of childhood abuse. Offers a helpline, email support and local services.
The NAPAC helpline is open 10am to 9pm, Monday to Thursday. And 10am to 6pm on Fridays.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
0808 2000 247
nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Free 24-hour helpline for women who have experienced domestic abuse and violence, with all female advisors. Also offers a live chat and can help to find refuge accommodation. Run by the domestic violence charity Refuge.
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. They also have a BSL helpline available Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm. And a live webchat open Monday to Friday, 3pm to 10pm.
NHS 111 (England)
111
18001 111 (text relay)
NHS 111 BSL service
111.nhs.uk
Non-emergency medical help and advice for people in England.
NHS 111 (Wales)
111
111.wales.nhs.uk
Non-emergency medical help and advice for people living in Wales. Select option 2 to access a 24/7 helpline offering urgent mental health support.
NHS 111 is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
NHS UK
nhs.uk
Information about health problems and treatments, including details of local NHS services in England.
Relate
relate.org.uk
Provides help and support with relationships, including counselling and telephone support.
Samaritans
116 123 (freephone)
[email protected]
Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS
samaritans.org
Samaritans are open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk. You can visit some Samaritans branches in person. Samaritans also have a Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).
Samaritans' helplines are open every day of the year.
Shout
85258 (text SHOUT)
giveusashout.org
Confidential 24/7 text service offering support if you're in crisis and need immediate help.
Shout are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
The Silver Line
0800 4 70 80 90
thesilverline.org.uk
Provides support, information, friendship and advice for anyone aged over 55 who may feel lonely or isolated.
The Silver Line is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Stand Alone
standalone.org.uk
Charity supporting adults who are estranged (not in contact) from their family.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS)
uk-sobs.org.uk
Emotional and practical support and local groups for anyone bereaved or affected by suicide.
Switchboard
0800 0119 100
hello@switchboard/lgbt
switchboard.lgbt
Listening services, information and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Switchboard’s helpline is open 10am to 10pm, every day of the year.
Tommy's
tommys.org
Information and support for people affected by stillbirth, miscarriage and premature birth.
The Trussell Trust
0808 208 2138 (Help through Hardship helpline)
trusselltrust.org
Emergency food and support for people in need. Includes a searchable list of local foodbanks.
The Help through Hardship line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. The helpline is closed on public holidays.
This information was published in November 2023. We will revise it in 2024.
References and bibliography available on request.
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