Tips For Looking After Your Mental Health At Christmas | Nacro
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Tips for looking after your mental health at Christmas

The Christmas lights may be shining and carols may be sung, but for some the festive period can bring difficult times. Whether it’s through health reasons, financial pressures, or other worries, these can bring anxiety and create an uneasiness throughout the seasonal period.

Looking after your mental health during this time is essential. Below we’ve shared the contact details of organisations and mental health services that are available through Christmas period.

Remember, you do not have to face things alone, support is available for you. All you have to do is ask for help.

You can check your local Mind’s website for Christmas opening times. Side by Side is their supportive online community for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

You can access the community any time, including on Christmas Day and other bank holidays.

Call: 0300 123 3393
Website: mind.org.uk

You can find advice and tips on a range of mental health topics over the Christmas holidays on the Priory Group’s website.

Call: 0800 840 3219
Website: PrioryGroup.com

No matter how or if you celebrate, it is normal that this time of year can affect your mental health.

You may be feeling like you aren’t enjoying the things you usually do this time of year. You may be worried about friends and family or other things happening in the world. You are not alone.

Call: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Website: Samaritans.org

Young Minds are a mental health charity for young people. Supporting them through tough times and providing advice and guidance.

Read their advice on how to look after your mental health at Christmas.

Call: 0808 802 5544
Website: youngminds.org.uk

Mental Health UK provide resources and guidance on how to support those most in need. Read their blog on why Christmas isn’t easy for everyone and how to cope

Call: 020 7840 3101
Website: mentalhealth-uk.org

Offers information and advice on eating disorders and runs a supportive online community. Read their blog on how to get through another anxious Xmas.

Call: 0808 801 0677 (England) or 0808 801 0433 (Wales)
Website: thecalmzone.net

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.

Read their blog on coping with Christmas and other seasonal events

Call: 0345 123 2304
Website: tcf.org.uk

Cruse offers bereavement support for those that have lost loved ones and are struggling to cope this festive period.

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.

Call: 0808 808 1677
Website: cruse.org.uk

LGBT Foundation offer 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.

Call: 0345 3 30 30 30
Website: lgbt.foundation

Money Helper provides free and impartial money advice for those that might be worried or concerned about their finances. The MoneyHelper helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

Call: 0800 138 7777 (English) or 0800 138 0555 (Welsh)
Text relay: 18001 0800 915 4622
Website: moneyhelper.org.uk

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) supports adult survivors of any form of childhood abuse. They offer advice and guidance for those that need it.

Read their Survivor’s Guide to Christmas

Call: 0808 801 0331
Website: napac.org.uk

National Domestic Abuse Helpline is a 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.

Call: 0808 2000 247
Website: refuge.org.uk

Discover more of our Christmas tips