The festive season can be joyful, but it can also be overwhelming, lonely, or emotionally difficult.
The region’s NHS is reminding people that a wide range of confidential, trusted mental health support is available throughout the Christmas and New Year period:
- Call NHS 111 – press option 2 for urgent mental health support If you or someone you know needs urgent mental health help, call NHS 111 and select option 2. It’s free, and available 24/7. You’ll speak to a mental health professional who will listen and help you find the right support.
- Text ‘CALMER’ to 85258
If you’d rather text than talk on the phone, you can text ‘CALMER’ to 85258. This service is also free, and available 24/7. You can text with a mental health professional, sending and reading the messages at your own pace.
- Ask for help from NHS Talking Therapies
You can get free Talking Therapies via the NHS, which can help with common mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, stress and low mood. You can self-refer online, without needing to see a GP first. Visit the NHS website to find your local Talking Therapies service.
- Visit a Safe Haven or wellbeing hub in your area
Several local areas now have mental health services which anyone can walk in to for support and advice.
Everyturn Mental Health run Safe Havens in Ashington, Newcastle, and Wallsend. They are open from 2pm-10pm, every day of the year – including Christmas eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve. Find out more about Everyturn’s Safe Havens.
Wellbeing hubs are also open in Stockton, Hartlepool, Darlington, and York. Visit TEWV NHS Trust’s website for more details about these hubs.
In Whitehaven, Cumbria, people can get support from Hope Haven. Walk-in support is on offer at The Senhouse Centre in the run-up to Christmas. And people can book a video-call appointment with their ‘virtual safe haven’, open every day including Christmas eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve. Find out more about Hope Haven.
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Use free self-help guides and online courses
If you prefer to explore support at your own pace, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) offers free online self-help guides on managing stress, sleep problems, anxiety and much more. Just visit selfhelp.cntw.nhs.uk
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) offer a free online Recovery College, with short courses designed to support mental wellbeing and build coping skills. Visit www.recoverycollegeonline.co.uk.
All of these resources have been created with people who have their own experience of mental illness, and understand what it’s like.
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Talk to your GP
Your GP can be a good first step if you’re worried about your mental health. They can offer advice, prescribe treatment if appropriate, and refer you to specialist services. (Check with your local GP practice for Christmas and bank holiday opening times.)
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Explore local mental health support
Local charities and voluntary organisations also offer a wide range of support. This includes local Mind branches, Anxious Minds, Andy’s Man Club, Age UK, carers’ support services, and community and faith groups. Check websites like Hub of Hope (hubofhope.co.uk) for support near you.
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Use local and national helplines
If you want to talk to someone about how you feel, try one of these free helplines:
Samaritans: phone 116 123 or email [email protected]. Open 24 hours a day, every day.
SANEline: 0300 304 7000. Open 4pm – 10pm, every day.
Careline: 0845 122 8622. Open 10am-1pm and 7pm-10pm, Monday – Friday.
MIND: 0845 766 0163. Open 9am-5pm, Monday – Friday.
If you’re struggling this Christmas, please remember you matter – support is available.