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.

Where you can go to get mental health support over Christmas

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 Medway

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.

Medway Safe Haven

  • Phone: 07850 901151 or 07808 795036
  • Email: medway.mhm@nhs.net
  • Website: mhm.org.uk/kent-safe-havens
  • Address: The Portacabin opposite Urgent Treatment Centre at Medway Maritime Hospital, Windmill Road, Gillingham ME7 5NY
  • Christmas Open Hours: from 12pm-midnight every day (including weekends and bank holidays).

Gillingham Safe Haven

North Kent Mind Christmas drop-in sessions

If you are looking to speak to someone in person about mental health over the festive period, North Kent Mind are holding two drop in sessions in Chatham and Dartford. You can find more information on their website by clicking the button below.

Visit the website

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 

Both the Kooth and Qwell online chats will be open:

  • 24th December 12pm – 8pm
  • 25th December 4pm – 8pm
  • 26th December 12pm – 8pm
  • 31st December 12pm – 8pm
  • 1st January4pm – 8pm

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 

Wondering what other support is available over the festive period?

Caring Hands are offering a free Christmas meal with no booking necessary.

  • Phone: 01634 409768
  • Website: caringhands.org
  • Address: 15a-16 New Road Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME4 6BA
  • Open 25th December 12-2pm for a Christmas Meal—no booking necessary. Closed 23rd December—3rd January

Medway Street Angels run a soup kitchen on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, serving home cooked meals and hot drinks. Guests can request clothing items and also give out monthly toiletry packages and non-perishable food.

  • Phone: 07564 829189
  • Address: Clover Street Car Park at 7pm

One Big Family offer fresh home cooked food and food parcels. Their soup kitchen will be open on 24th and 31st of Decemeber as normal.

Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) before 5pm Comes into place on any evening that the night time temperature is predicted to be below freezing. Emergency overnight accommodation can be found for anyone with no where to sleep.

  • Phone: 01634 333600
  • Freephone: 0808 164 1444

The Vines United Reform Church are offering a free meal on Christmas day for anyone otherwise alone. 

  • Please contact Grace on 07870 636 451 for more information and to get booked on.
  • Transport can be arranged for those unable to get there. And a delivery of food can be arranged if needed.