Mind state that Christmas can affect your mental health if you:

  • Wish you didn’t have to deal with Christmas.
  • Find it stressful because of other events in your life.
  • Feel alone or left out because everyone else seems happy when you’re not.
  • Feel frustrated by other people’s views of a ‘perfect’ Christmas, if these feel different to your experiences.
  • Have ideas about what Christmas should be like, feel as if you need to enjoy it or worry something will disrupt it.
  • Feel like Christmas gives you something to focus on and look forward to, and find it difficult when it’s over.
  • Look back at difficult memories, regret things about the past, or worry about the coming new year.
  • Feel overlooked, for example if you celebrate other religious festivals or holidays that get less attention.
  • Want to celebrate with someone who’s struggling.

Therefore, there are different feelings, thoughts, experiences and circumstances that affect wellbeing during Christmas. This is just as applicable to the other religious holidays occurring in December such as Hanukkah/Chanukah (Jewish festival of lights). You can read here about December global festivities.

Festive celebrations may make it more difficult to manage your mental health and wellbeing. This may result from disrupted, or lack of, routine and structure. It may also be harder to access services, where you would seek help usually. If you are spending time on your own during our time off, either by choice or circumstances, check out the tips below for making it a more positive experience:

  • Make a meal of it – eat your favourite food.
  • Treat yourself – have an indulgent day and buy yourself something you love.
  • Connect with people virtually – if you have friends and family that live far away, opt for a video call if you aren’t able to see them in person.
  • Avoid social media – as people will often portray a picture perfect Christmas, when in reality this is not the case.
  • Volunteer – use your time off over Christmas to give back to local organisations, or even help a neighbour or friend who may need it.
  • Get outside – keep active by going on long walks.

One of the main benefits of a solo Christmas is being able to do whatever you want to do, even if that means not celebrating Christmas – do as you please and enjoy it!

Getting help
Bear in mind that some services will be closed on the bank holidays (25th & 26th Dec and 1st Jan), but please see list of services and contact information below that may be beneficial to you.

Foodbanks

The Trussell Trust provide emergency food and support for people in need. You can call the “help through hardship helpline” on 0808 208 2138 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). However, please note that they are closed on the bank holidays. You can also access trusselltrust.org to find a list of local foodbanks – please see below the foodbanks local to our offices:

 

–          Southport Foodbank

–          Ormskirk Foodbank

–          South Sefton Foodbank

–          North Liverpool Foodbank

–          Knowsley Foodbank

–          Wirral Foodbank

–          Skelmersdale & District Foodbank

–          St Helens Foodbank

–          South Liverpool Foodbank

 

Useful Resources & Contacts

We are wishing everyone a healthy and happy festive period but for anyone requiring additional support, advice or chat, see below.

Resources

  • Tips for coping during Christmas – Mind, Combat & Compassionate Friends
  • Supporting others at Christmas – Mind
  • Tips on feeling less alone over the festive season – Shout
  • Advice on coping with feeling anxious at Christmas – CALM
  • Coping with grief at Christmas – Cruse
  • Christmas coping information – Samaritans
  • Information on money, saving and Christmas – Money Helper
  • Advice on coping with Christmas when you’ve suffered the loss of a baby – Tommy’s
  • Advice on surviving Christmas as a survivor of abuse – NAPAC
  • Festive guide for those estranged from family – Stand Alone

Contacts

  • Age UK for older people on 0800 678 1602or org.uk. Helpline open 8am to 7pm, every day.
  • Beat for information and advice on eating disorders on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0433 (Wales) or org.uk. The helplines are open 365 days a year from 1pm to 9pm during the week, and 5pm to 9pm on weekends and bank holidays.
  • Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) 0800 58 58 58 or net. The helpline and webchat are open from 5pm to midnight, every day of the year.
  • Combat Stress – treatment and support for armed forces veterans who have mental health problems on 0800 1381 619 or org.uk. Open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
  • The Compassionate Friends providing support to bereaved families after the death of a child on 0345 123 2304 or org.uk. Helpline open from 10am to 4pm, and 7pm to 10pm, every day of the year.
  • Cruse Bereavement Support for information and support after a bereavement on 0808 808 1677 or org.uk. Helpline open 9.30am-5pm Monday and Friday, and 9.30am-8pm Tuesday-Thursday.
  • Men’s Advice Line – a confidential advice and support for men who have experienced domestic violence on 0808 801 0327 or org.uk. Helpline open Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm.
  • MoneyHelper providing free and impartial money advice on 0800 138 7777(England), 0800 138 0555 (Wales) or 18001 0800 915 4622 (text relay), or org.uk. Helpline open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
  • The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) supporting adult survivors of any form of childhood abuse on 0808 801 0331, support@napac.org.uk or org.uk. The phone line is open until 6pm on 23rd December but will then close until the 3rd January.
  • National Domestic Abuse Helpline for women who have experienced domestic abuse and violence (all female advisor team) on 0808 2000 247 or org.uk. Free 24-hour helpline.
  • Samaritans on 116 123(freephone), jo@samaritans.org or org. Open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
  • Shout 24/7 text service offering support if you’re in crisis and need immediate help open 24 hours a day, every day of the year: org Text SHOUT to 85258
  • The Silver Line support, information, friendship and advice for anyone aged over 55 who may feel lonely or isolated open 24 hours a day, every day of the year on 0800 4 70 80 90 or org.uk
  • Stand Alone supporting adults who are estranged (not in contact) from their family: org.uk
  • Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) providing emotional and practical support and local groups for anyone bereaved or affected by suicide: uk-sobs.org.uk
  • Tommy’s Information and support for people affected by stillbirth, miscarriage and premature birth: org