06:00, 11 December 2024
Words by Abi Scaife, Staff Writer, London
Whatever you celebrate, the holiday season can be a hectic one, to say the least. Trying to meet up with family and friends, manage rising costs, and still have time for your mental health is a lot to handle - and it can get to the best of us.
Add to that, if you live somewhere that is often cold, dark and gloomy (hello to our fellow Brits!) during the winter, it can be a big hit to your mental wellbeing.
If you’re someone who is struggling over the winter or holiday period, here are five charities that you can reach out to for help.
Mind is an incredible charity with a wealth of information on its website. They have practical, research-backed resources available - including this great piece on how Christmas might affect your mental health.
Scroll to the bottom of the article for more links, including tips on how to make it through the Christmas period with the most robust mental health possible, how to support others, and where to go if you need help.
Known for their always available and non-judgemental hotline, Samaritans is a great charity to get in contact with when you need to talk to someone. Especially if you aren’t able to talk to family or friends, or if you are feeling isolated, it can be great to have an objective party around and available.
Plus, this link to their website has some great advice on how to make it through the winter season, including how to limit your time on social media, and monitor your own boundaries.
Mentally Healthy Schools was originally developed in partnership between Anna Freud, Young Minds, Place2Be and The Royal Foundation as a legacy project of the Heads Together campaign.
They have some amazing resources online for children of all ages, as well as for teachers and parents. It’s a great starting point if you have a child who is anxious or sad over the winter holidays, or nervous about returning to school. Plus, they have a winter wellbeing toolkit you can download here.
If you need some quick and easy tips for caring for your mental and emotional health over the witner period, this article from the Mental Health Foundation is a good start.
This is a really great reminder to get back to basics, and ways to manage your emotions through what can often be a stressful period of time.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Samaritans. Samaritans works to make sure there's always someone there for anyone who needs someone. Find out more here.
Ripple Suicide Prevention. R;pple exists to ensure immediate mental health support is presented to individuals following a harmful online search. Learn more here.
Papyrus. This is the leading suicide prevention charity for young people, working with under 35s. Find out more.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health and Wellbeing.
