Where can I get mental health support over the festive season?

Advice and Information - 16 December 2024

Mental health is really important.
It is vital that we are all looking after our minds as well as our bodies to keep us fit and healthy.
Christmas can be a difficult time for some of us, so we have complied a list of services that are open throughout the festive period if you want to reach out for mental health support.
Green Christmas Tree with three ornaments

If you need support for your mental health over the festive period, there are places that you can go for support.

These services have a phone or text line for immediate mental health support.

  • NHS 111: This service is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides medical advice and the details of the services closest to you that help you deal with your need following a medical assessment. For mental health advice, choose option 2 when on the phone.
  • Shout - Shout is the UK's first and only free confidential 24/7 text messaging service. In an emergency, text 'SHOUT' to 85258.
  • The Mix - the Mix is the UK's leading support service for young people under 25. If you are experiencing a crisis, you can text 'THEMIX' to 85258. The Crisis Messenger Text service is available 24/7 throughout the year, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's.
  • Samaritans - Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We're here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call the freephone on 116 123.
  • CALM - CALM’s helpline is open 5pm - midnight every day, including through the festive period. Their helpline staff are there to help you explore how you're feeling. Call on their freephone: 0800 585858.
  • Release The Pressure Helpline - Don’t suffer in silence: Call 0800 107 0160 or text the word ‘KENT’ to 85258 . The helpline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can also send them a webchat by clicking on the purple webchat box on the right hand side of your screen. 

If you are having an urgent mental health crisis, call 111 and select option 2 to speak to a specially-trained mental health practitioner.

If you think there is a risk to your life, or the life of someone else, please do not call 111. Dial 999 instead.

Mental Health Crisis Support in Kent

Safe Havens offer mental health support for anyone aged 16+ in the Kent area. They provide information and emotional support for individuals who are in crisis or feel they are heading towards a crisis situation.

Canterbury Safe Haven 

Open: Monday-Sunday, 6pm-11pm 

Address: 22-23 North Lane, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7EE 

 

Dartford Safe Haven 

Open: Monday-Sunday, 6pm-11pm 

Address: 18 Hythe Street, Dartford, DA1 1BX 

 

Folkestone Safe Haven 

Open: Monday-Friday, 6pm-11pm, Saturday-Sunday, 12pm-11pm 

Address: 3 Renedezvous Street, Folkestone, CT20 1EY 

 

Maidstone Safe Haven 

Open: Monday-Sunday, 6pm-11pm 

Address: Kestrel House, Knightrider Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6LU 

Ramsgate Safe Haven 

Open: Monday-Sunday, 6pm-11pm 

Address: 42 High Street, Ramsgate, CT11 9AG 

Thanet Safe Haven 

Open: Monday-Sunday, 24 hours 

Address: Thanet Mental Health Unit, 164 Ramsgate Road, Margate, CT9 4BF 

Tunbridge Wells Safe Haven 

Open: Monday-Sunday, 6pm-11pm 

Address: Brains Matter Charity, 3 Culverden Park, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9QT 

Can you provide company for someone who is lonely this 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.

If you can provide company to help older people who are suffering from loneliness this Christmas, please phone 01634 572616 to volunteer with Age UK.  

Find out more 

If you are looking for online support, you can click through to these websites that have online chat support.

  • Side by Side - is a supportive online community for anyone experiencing a mental health problem. You can access the community any time, including on Christmas Day and other bank holidays. Side by Side is moderated daily from 8am to midnight. https://sidebyside.mind.org.uk/
  • Shout - Shout’s online chat is open 24/7, even throughout the festive period, and on Christmas day. You can visit their website at https://giveusashout.org/.
  • Kooth - is an online service for young people aged 10-25. Once you log in, you’ll see lots of different support options and an online chat to speak to a member of Kooth’s team. Go to https://www.kooth.com/home. 

  • Qwell - is an online service for those aged 26+. It is a platform where you can speak to an experienced professional and to online peer support communities. Go to https://www.qwell.io 

    The chat for Kooth and Qwell will be open:

  • 24th December 12pm – 8pm
  • 25th December 4pm – 8pm
  • 26th December 12pm – 8pm
  • 31st December 12pm – 8pm
  • 1st January 4pm – 8pm