HELP is available this Yuletide for those who find the season more miserable than merry.
While Christmas and Hogmanay can be great fun, they can also make people feel more anxious and lonelier. Winter months can be a difficult time, with bad weather and very little daylight which affects how people feel.
But NHS 24 offers a range of advice and information to help cope with the additional stress of the holiday period, as well as services to access when more help is needed.
NHS 24 delivers Scotland’s online health information service NHS inform where there is a lot of mental health and wellbeing advice for a variety of conditions. It also promotes free digital programmes called SilverCloud, Daylight, and Sleepio that can help with anxiety, stress, and insomnia.
Senior charge nurse David McKissock from NHS 24’s Mental Health Hub, says there’s no need to deal with problems alone: “The range of digital programmes and information on NHS inform are fantastic and can really help people understand their emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms. They also have the advantage of being available 24/7 in a way that is convenient for you. There is also a lot of videos in the ‘mind to mind’ section from real people describing how they manage their own mental wellbeing which can inspire people to try new techniques.”
If you would prefer to speak to someone then there’s the Breathing Space helpline on 0800 83 85 87. It is a free and confidential service for anyone aged over 16 in Scotland who is experiencing low mood, anxiety, or depression. The phone lines and webchat are open Monday to Thursday, 6 pm to 2 am and Friday from 6 pm to Monday until 6 am.
David added: “Whether you are feeling distressed, overwhelmed, or simply in need of someone to talk to, there is always support available to help. For urgent assistance with your mental health you should contact your GP or mental health team, but if you need help out-of-hours, our Mental Health Hub can be accessed by ringing 111. There you’ll be connected to our dedicated team who are ready to listen, provide advice, and guide you towards the support you need.
“The festive season can be challenging, but you don’t have to face it alone. Our mental health services at NHS 24 are here for everyone in Scotland, regardless of age, and there are people, tools, and resources available to help you navigate this time and find hope and positivity for the future. Reaching out is a powerful first step towards managing your mental well-being, and we are here to support you every step of the way.”
- NHS inform’s mental health resources – nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health
- Breathing Space – breathingspace.scot/
