Mental health and the festive season: Supporting those struggling to feel the joy and goodwill
Christmas and New Year are traditionally times when people celebrate and spend time with family and friends, exchange gifts and unwind.
Yet for many people the festive season can be a tough time, mentally and emotionally, and the pressure of meeting social and financial expectations can be overwhelming. For those on their own, loneliness can affect their wellbeing.
If you’re someone for whom this all sounds very familiar, or you think someone you know might be in this position, there are ways to help.
Creating realistic expectations of yourself and of others and being open and honest with those around you will help to . If you suspect you’re going to find the festive season tough, let the people you’re going to be spending it with know in advance. Those closest to you will have your best interests at heart and will want to do what they can to support you.
Plan ahead as much as you can, both in terms of who you’ll be with, where you’ll be, what you might be doing, what you can afford to spend. If you’re on repeat medication, it’s important to ensure you have your prescription sorted in time, and it’s worth also checking on the availability of health services, in case you need to call on them.
The national mental health charity Mind has a whole range of tips and advice to help you get through Christmas. You can find the details on its website.
NHS111, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on the phone or online – 111.nhs.uk – has a mental health option.
If you do experience a mental health crisis over Christmas and New Year and need urgent support, you can visit one of the mental health Safe Havens, either in Aldershot or Slough (there are further Safe Havens across Surrey).
The Aldershot Safe Haven, in Walpole House, Pickford Street, Aldershot, GU11 1TZ, is open 365 days a year. It is open from 6pm to 11pm, Monday to Friday, and from 12.30pm to 11pm on weekends and bank holidays.
The East Berkshire Safe Haven, at 54 High Street, Slough, SL1 1EL, is open every day from 5pm until 11pm and the Safe Haven team can also be reached by phone: 07790 772 863 or email: east.berkshirehaven@nhs.net.
You can also call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans or text SHOUT to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line (or text YM to the same number if you are under 19).
Visit the Frimley Health and Care mental wellbeing page for information on mental health services available for residents in East Berkshire, North East Hampshire, Surrey Heath and Farnham.
Whatever you end up doing, your mental and physical health should come first, so please take whatever measures you need to protect them, so you can have as positive and productive a festive season as possible.