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Christmas and mental health

Explains how the period around Christmas and new year might affect your mental health. Gives tips on how to cope and suggestions for supporting someone else.

Useful contacts 

Mind's services

  • Helplines – our Infolines provide information and support by phone, email and text.
  • Local Minds – provide face-to-face services, such as talking therapies, peer support and advocacy, across England and Wales.
  • Elefriends – our supportive online community for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

Other organisations

Beat

0808 801 0677 (adult helpline)
0808 801 0711 (youthline)
0808 801 0811 (studentline)
beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Offers information on eating disorders and runs a supportive online community. Also provides a directory of support services at helpfinder.

Helpline services will be open 4pm–8pm from 24 December to 1 January.

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

0800 58 58 58 (UK helpline)
0808 802 58 58 (London helpline)
thecalmzone.net
Provides listening services, information and support for men at risk of suicide, including a web chat.

Helpline services are open 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year.

The Compassionate Friends

0345 123 2304
tcf.org.uk
Provides support to bereaved families after the death of a child.

Helpline open 10am–4pm, and 7pm–10pm every day.

Cruse Bereavement Care

0808 808 1677
cruse.org.uk
Information and support after a bereavement.

Helpline service:
21–26 Dec: 9:30am–8pm
27–30 Dec: 9:30am–5pm
31 Dec onwards: 9:30am–8pm

LGBT Foundation

0345 3 30 30 30
lgbt.foundation
Advice, support and information for people identifying as LGBTQ+.

We're not sure what the LGBT Foundation are doing over Christmas. You could send them an email, but they might not reply until January.

Money Advice Service

0800 138 7777
moneyadviceservice.org.uk
Provides free and impartial money advice.

We're not sure what the Money Advice Service are doing over Christmas. You could send them an email, but they might not reply until January.

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)

0808 801 0331
napac.org.uk
A charity supporting adult survivors of any form of childhood abuse. Provides a support line and local support services.

Support line open until 24 December at 6pm, and reopening on 2 January 2020.

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

0808 2000 247
www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Free 24-hour helpline for women who have experienced domestic abuse, run by domestic violence charity Refuge. It is run by female advisors.

The women's helpline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can contact them online and they will ask for a safe way to respond to you.

Men's Advice Line

0808 801 0327
mensadviceline.org.uk
Confidential advice and support for men experiencing domestic violence and abuse by a current or ex-partner or family member.

We aren't sure what the men's advice line is doing over Christmas. You could send them an email, but they might not reply until January.

NHS 111 (England)

111
111.nhs.uk
Non-emergency medical help and advice for people in England.

Helpline available 24/7.

NHS 111 Wales

111 (Hywel Dda, Powys, Aneurin Bevan and Swansea Bay Health Boards (including Brigend))
0845 46 47 (all other areas of Wales)
111.wales.nhs.uk
Non-emergency medical help and advice for people living in Wales. The contact number for this service differs depending on which area of Wales you live in. 

Helpline available 24/7.

NHS UK

nhs.uk
Information about health problems and treatments, including details of local NHS services in England.

The NHS website is always available.

Relate

0300 003 0396
relate.org.uk
Provides help and support with relationships, including counselling, telephone counselling and anonymous live chat.

We're not sure what Relate are doing over Christmas, and it might vary depending on which branch. You could send them an email, but they might not reply until January.

Samaritans

116 123 (freephone)
[email protected]
Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK
PO Box 90 90
Stirling FK8 2SA
samaritans.org

Open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk. You can visit some branches in person. They also have a Welsh Language Line on 0300 123 3011 (7pm–11pm every day).

Helpline and email, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Some local branches offer in-person drop-ins and may be open over Christmas.

The Silver Line

0800 4 70 80 90
thesilverline.org.uk
Provides support, information, friendship and advice for older people (over 55) who may feel lonely or isolated.

Helpline open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Stand Alone

standalone.org.uk
Charity supporting adults who are estranged (not in contact) from their family.

Stand Alone don't have a helpline but their online festive guide might be useful. If you need to talk to someone over Christmas, try the Samaritans.

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS)

0300 111 5065
uk-sobs.org.uk
Emotional and practical support and local groups for anyone bereaved or affected by suicide.

We're not sure what SOBS are doing over Christmas. You could send them an email, but they might not reply until January.

Switchboard

0300 330 0630
switchboard.lgbt
Listening services, information and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

Helpline open 10am–10pm, 365 days a year.

Tommy's

tommys.org
Information and support for people affected by stillbirth, miscarriage and premature birth.

We're not sure what Tommy's is doing over Christmas. You can send them an email, but they might not reply until January. For urgent medical advice call NHS 111 / NHS Direct Wales. In an emergency, go straight to A&E or call 999.

The Trussell Trust

trusselltrust.org
Emergency food and support for people in need. Includes a searchable list of local foodbanks.

Each foodbank will arrange its own Christmas hours. It's important to remember that you need a voucher from their referral agency first, so find your nearest foodbank, and find out when their referral agency is open too.

This information was published in December 2019. We will revise it in 2020.

References are available on request. If you would like to reproduce any of this information, see our page on permissions and licensing.

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