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Get support for your mental health this Christmas 

Local NHS and mental health organisations across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are reminding anyone who is struggling at this time of the year that help is available.

The festive season can bring extra pressure from finances being stretched to workplace stress, to feelings of loneliness to missing loved ones. These challenges can affect people differently, but support is available to help those who need it. 

Dr Emma Tiffin, local GP and Mental Health Clinical Lead for NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough said: “It’s important to remember that whatever feelings you have at Christmas, they’re completely valid. The festive season can bring out a wide range of emotions, with the added expectation that you’re supposed to have a good time. But across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough there is a wide range of specialised help available.

Local services include online support and information services, phone and text helplines, and specialist help around bereavement, financial pressures, relationships alongside crisis mental health support if needed.

Dr Tiffin added: “Our local dedicated mental health website www.keep-your-head.com is packed full of mental health tips, guidance and advice. It also provides information on mental health services available locally and nationally, so a great first place to look. 

“The festive period is a good time to check in on neighbours, friends and loved ones who live alone and who might be experiencing loneliness. A phone call or a visit can make all the difference to someone’s wellbeing this Christmas.”  

Below outlines local support available whether that is in times of crisis, online or for specific support around bereavement, domestic abuse, or financial pressures.

Crisis support:

• Crisis support – NHS 111 Mental Health Option - If you feel you are in a mental health crisis, urgent support is available in our area 24/7 through 111. Simply dial 111 and select the mental health option. You will be put through to a trained advisor who will speak to you and discuss your current mental health needs.

Online support:

• www.keep-your-head.com website provides information on mental health and wellbeing support and local services available for young people and adults across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
• How Are You (H.A.Y.) https://haycambspboro.co.uk/ is a local website that brings together information on activities and support available in your local community to help boost mental health and wellbeing.
• Mind - CPSLMind,  https://www.cpslmind.org.uk/ is a mental health charity providing a range of services and support for people suffering with mental health problems and promoting positive mental health across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
• Kooth (for age 11-25) - www.kooth.com – Free online wellbeing services offering chat-based counselling, peer support and self-help
• Centre 33 (young people up to age 25) - www.centre33.org.uk open 12pm-5pm Monday to Friday and 10am-1pm on Saturdays, this service specialises in mental health advice and support for young people up to the age of 25.

Phone/text helplines:

• Lifeline – https://lifecraft.org.uk/ offers free, confidential helpline that you can call anonymously to talk to a trained volunteer. Lifeline is available daily 11am-11pm and can be reached by calling 0808 808 2121.
• HEAR 85258 a mental health free text messaging support service - texting the word HEAR to 85258 to be connected to a trained volunteer who will offer them calm in a time or place of crisis.

Relationship and domestic abuse support:

• Relate - www.relate.org.uk/centre/cambridgeshire
• Domestic Abuse Support Service (DASS) – freephone 0300 373 1073 supports victims and survivors of domestic abuse of any gender identity and any sexual orientation

Bereavement support:

• Cruse – www.cruse.org.uk/get-support/ offers trained volunteers in all types of bereavement and can help you make sense of how you're feeling right now.
• Bereavement support services in Cambridgeshire - www.agespace.org/local/cambridgeshire/end-of-life/bereavement-support-services
• Good Grief Cafes - www.thegoodgrieftrust.org/need-know-info/from-us-to-you/pop-up-good-grief-cafes/ runs pop up cafés that offer friendly, informal place out in the community to pop along and find others who may have been through a similar bereavement.

Financial related:

• National Gambling Service - GamCare helpline www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/talk-to-us-now/ available on 0808 8020 133
• Debt management support – available via Citizens Advice www.citizensadvice.org.uk