In our ‘Charity at Christmas’ article we alluded to how things are tough for people in our town. Unfortunately as the festive season reaches its peak, it can take its toll on those around us. This can take the form of loneliness or a struggle with mental health and/or anxiety.
If you are worried about someone below is a link from the Samaritans giving advice on signs that someone may not be ok and what you can do to help them.
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/support-and-information/worried-about-someone-else/
Here on Redvee.net in June 2018, we founded the Men’s Room on our forums. http://forums.redvee.net/showthread.php?30507-The-Men’s-Room
“This is for anyone who needs to chat; whether they have a simple issue, stress or a mental illness. This forum will remain completely non-judgmental. One of the most dangerous things facing young people, and young men in particular, is mental health problems, usually depression and/or anxiety. In many, though obviously not all cases, this can lead to suicide, the majority of which could have been prevented by simply talking and seeking help. Please use this thread to do just that – talk, open up. Do it anonymously, or do it from your current account – no one here will judge, I guarantee that you will find helping hands, many of whom have been through it and come out of the other side. We can also provide the appropriate signposting to further and suitable help for you. Use it for help, or to help others, or for both. This thread might never be used, it may be infrequent…but it’s here when and if people need it and want to chat to someone away from their everyday lives.
We can’t promise that we can fix your problems, but we can promise that the members posting here will try to help you feel better.”
One of our posters helpfully provided us with a list of Mental Health/Suicide Prevention Helplines and websites – which could assist if you’re struggling at the moment. We hope you don’t need to use these details – but if you are feeling the strain, we’d urge you to contact one of them. There’s no judgement from them and they really could assist in getting the help you need – even if it’s just a chat with someone.
- Samaritans: 116 123 (samaritans.org) – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Get in touch about anything that’s troubling you, no matter how large or small the issue feels. Will listen and help you work through what’s on your mind. No judgement, no pressure.
- Mind: 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 (mind.org.uk) – Provide confidential help, advice, and information on mental health issues for the price of a local call.
- Childline: 0800 1111 (childline.org.uk) – Childline is free, confidential, and available any time day or night. Help and advice available for young people about a wide range of issues (self-harming, sex, bullying, etc.) Talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email, or post on the message boards.
- Papyrus: 0800 068 41 41 (papyrus-uk.org) – If you are a young person, or know a young person, who is not coping with life and may be contemplating suicide, please call for confidential support and suicide prevention advice. Available: Mon-Fri 9:00 am to 10:00 pm Weekends 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm Bank Holidays 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm
- Calm: 0800 58 58 58 (thecalmzone.net) – Available 5pm to Midnight the helpline is for people in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, and need to talk or find information and support.
- Young Minds: 0808 802 5544 (Need urgent help? text YM to 85258) (youngminds.org.uk) – Whether you want to know more about how you’re feeling, get information about a mental health condition, or find out what support is available to you.
- The Mix: 0808 808 4994 (themix.org.uk) – Free information and support for under 25s in the UK. Get help and advice on a range of issues: mental health, drugs, homelessness, sex, relationships, money, jobs, etc.
Loneliness at Christmas
Loneliness isn’t necessarily the same as being alone. You could be surrounded by a large family, group of friends or work colleagues but still experience the feeling of isolation. When added to the expectations of Christmas it can become too much and the pressure can lead to the feeling of loneliness growing. If you are feeling lonely this Christmas then hopefully the links below can give a couple of ideas to help over the festive period.
https://www.healthassured.org/blog/combating-loneliness-this-christmas/
https://www.bacp.co.uk/news/news-from-bacp/2018/18-december-dealing-with-loneliness-at-christmas/