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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

  • Mind's helplines provide information and support by phone and email.
  • Local Minds offer face-to-face services across England and Wales. These services include talking therapies, peer support and advocacy.
  • Side by Side is our supportive online community for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

Other organisations

Age UK (England)

0800 678 1602 
ageuk.org.uk
Information and support for older people.

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.

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.

Combat Stress

0800 1381 619
combatstress.org.uk
Treatment and support for armed forces veterans who have mental health problems.

The Compassionate Friends

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

Cruse Bereavement Care

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

LGBT Foundation

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

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.

MoneyHelper

0800 138 7777 (English)
0800 138 0555 (Welsh)
18001 0800 915 4622 (textphone)
moneyhelper.org.uk
Provides free and impartial money advice.

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.

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.

NHS 111 (England)

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

NHS 111 (Wales)

111 (Hywel Dda, Powys, Aneurin Bevan and Swansea Bay (including Brigend) Health Boards)
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 are in.

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).

Shout

85258 (text SHOUT)
giveusashout.org
Confidential 24/7 text service offering support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.

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.

Stand Alone

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

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.

Switchboard

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

Tommy's

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

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. 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 informatOctober 2021. We will revise it in 2022.

References and bibliography available on request.

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