Are you struggling to feel positive about Christmas? Are you going to be alone for Christmas?
Many people across Medway and further afield will be alone this Christmas or suffering from mental health difficulties that will prevent them enjoying Christmas as they wish to do so. However, help is available for those in those situations.
Research conducted by Mind has suggested over one third of people are embarrassed to admit they are lonely at Christmas. While people often associate loneliness with being more likely to happen to older people the survey showed more 18–25-year-olds, at 45%, said there were embarrassed to admit there were lonely at Christmas time than people 65 and older (29%). Feeling lonely does not always mean being alone,15% of women and 12% of men saying they fell alone even when physically surrounded by family or friends. The support offered in this article will help combat the stigma of being lonely over the festive period and hopefully encourage who were previously unwilling to reach out.
More concerning is that one in ten people said that as a result of Christmas they have struggled with their mental health to the extent that they were contemplating suicide. Similar numbers also said the same about self - harming. Those already experiencing mental health difficulties were twice as likely to contemplate suicide due to Christmas 45% of women and 31% of men felt Christmas was a time, they would be less likely to talk about mental health issues than other times of the year. These figures are very concerning and a major reason why the help and support needs to be accessed all year round. Everyone who is struggling should know that there are many people out there willing to help and support through the most challenging and distressing of times.
The importance of the support is also highlighted by the fact that one in five people and 49% of those currently suffering from mental health issues, said in the survey their felt like they did not know anywhere that was offering help and support.
The support which is available in Medway includes things such as the Release the Pressure helpline provided by the charity Mind. This is 24 hours, 7 days a week helpline staffed by fully qualified counsellors. It can help with a wide range of mental health issues that might be worsened by the Christmas period. These issues include Anxiety, Depression, Low Self Esteem, Money Worries, Relationship troubles, Stress and Suicidal thoughts. To access the helpline, call 0800 107 0160. Their web-chat can be accessed here
Help can also be found by phoning the Samaritans 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 116 123. The Samaritans can also be contacted by email at jo@samaritans.org
The Kent safe havens will also be open as normal throughout the Christmas period. These are safe spaces which can be accessed by walk in (No appointment needed) during a mental health crisis. There are several across Medway and Kent.
Medway - Open 12pm to 12am every day
Thanet - Open 6pm to 11pm every day.
Maidstone - Open 6pm to 11pm every day.
Canterbury - Open 6pm -11pm every day.
Further details are on this link. https://www.mhm.org.uk/kent-safe-havens
Support for men can also be found from the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). They run a helpline and a web chat every day from 5pm to 12am for men to access. It can be accessed by calling 0800 58 58 58 or by accessing this link. https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
Support for Children can also be found by calling Childline on 0900 1111 or by visiting https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/contacting-childline/
For people under 25 support can also be found by contacting The Mix. Their telephone helpline is open from 3pm to 12am every day while their text service is 24 hours a day seven days a week. The number for the helpline is 0808 808 4994 while the text service is accessed by texting THEMIX’ to 85258.
https://www.themix.org.uk/get-support
Adults can call Kent and Medway’s 24 hours a day seven days a week helpline on 0800 783 9111 if in need of urgent support advice and guidance on mental health issues. Under 18’s can call 0800 011 3474 and select option one then option three.
Across Kent and Medway there are several crisis teams.
Dartford Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment team - 01322 622222
Medway and Swale Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment team - 01634 968460
North East Kent Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment team - 07554 050 242
South East Kent Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment team - 07553 814499
West Kent Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment team - 01622 725000
In the event of no answer or not being sure which Crisis team covers your area people can call 01322 622222 or 0800 783 9111.
Help can also be found by contacting Live Well Kent. They can provide help on a wide range of issues such as financial, relationship, housing, and general and mental health.
Mind also offer a well-being line that can be contacted on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6-10pm.
For people struggling with Bereavement the Cruse helpline can help. It is open between 9.30am and 8pm every day and can be accessed 0808 808 1677 or via https://www.cruse.org.uk/telephone-support/christmas
For people over 55 Kent County Council offers a service known as Community Connectors. In this service lonely and socially isolated individuals are given help and guidance to ‘take control of their own health and wellbeing by accessing specialist support.’ More information can be found at www.kent.gov.uk/communityconnectors
For people in Medway willing to help older people who are suffering from loneliness please phone 01634 572616 to volunteer with Age UK.
Here are some more useful links on activities, tips and tricks to maintain your wellbeing over the Christmas period:
