Christmas and New Year 2021 - we're here to help...
24 Dec 21
Christmas means lots of things to lots of people, for some it’s a celebration, an opportunity spend time with family, catch up with friends, to take a break from their busy lives, but for others it’s something entirely different. This time of year can prove to be very challenging for some, and even though it may feel as if the world has closed for a few days, it’s important to know that help and support is still available for anyone who needs it.
Hertfordshire local residents of all ages, who require urgent help in a mental health crisis (this includes people in a mental health crisis their families and carers, GPs and other professionals) can contact our 24/7 Single Point of Access (SPA) Mental Health Helpline team at any hour of the day or night (including the Christmas and New Year break). People who are already receiving crisis services can contact their crisis team directly using the numbers provided.
The SPA helpline is staffed by mental health professionals who can provide advice and support for existing service users and any Hertfordshire residents experiencing a mental health crisis by:
- Connecting existing service users with their crisis team
- Providing information about local services and make referrals (including CAMHS and specialist older peoples’ services)
- Listen and reassure any worries or anxieties
- Provide information on diagnoses, mental health issues and medication
Single Point of Access (SPA) 24/7 Mental Health Helpline:
Call: 0800 6444 101
To have a live webchat (7am – 7pm, Mon – Fri), please visit here.
Web: https://www.hpft.nhs.uk/get-help/alternative-crisis-services-and-support-information/
We have also compiled a list of organisations who are providing a wide range of support over the next couple of weeks that you may find useful for either yourself or someone you know. So if you do find yourself in a situation where you need some help over Christmas and New Year, please do either reach out to us or one of the services below.
Other resources / services available across the community during the Christmas and New Year period include:
NHS
Tel: 111 (select option ‘2’ for mental health services)
Web: Mental Health Helpline for Urgent Help - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
IAPT Services
HPFT provides access to primary care psychological therapy services in Hertfordshire and Mid Essex through a wide range of confidential talking therapy treatments and practical support for adults with common mental health problems. The services are part of the national initiative Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT).
Contact: Contact us | HPFT IAPT Services (hpft-iapt.nhs.uk)
Web: Support and Treatment | HPFT IAPT Services (hpft-iapt.nhs.uk)
Herts MIND
Herts MIND crisis services provide emotional support, advice and information if you are feeling distressed and are in crisis.
Nightlight Crisis Helpline: 01923 256391 (7pm – 1am, 7 days per week)
Or visit here: Christmas Services Timetable 2021 | Hertfordshire Mind Network (hertsmindnetwork.org)
The Samaritans
The Samaritans are there to make sure there's always someone there for anyone who needs someone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org (you’ll receive a response within 24hrs)
Or visit here: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-having-difficult-time/if-youre-finding-things-hard-this-christmas/
CALM
A national mental health Charity supporting men, open 5pm – midnight every day.
Tel: 0800 585858
Webchat: CALM Homepage - Campaign Against Living Miserably | CALM, the campaign against living miserably, is a charity dedicated to preventing male suicide, the biggest single killer of men aged 20-45 in the UK (thecalmzone.net)
Papyrus
Crisis service for young people up to 35, open 9am – midnight every day.
Tel: 0800 068 4141
Email: pay@papyrus-uk.org
Web: Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide (papyrus-uk.org)
Combat Stress
The UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health.
Tel: 0800 138 1619
Text: 07537 173683
Email: helpline@combatstress.org.uk
Sane
UK wide charity working to improve the quality of life for those affected by mental illness.
Tel: 07984 967708 (leave a message and one of their professionals will call back)
Web: http://www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/helpline/
LGBT Foundation
The LGBT Foundation is a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities.
Tel: 0345 3 30 30 30
Email: info@lgbt.foundation
Web: LGBT Foundation - How we can help you
National Autistic Society
A UK wide charity that supports autistic people and their families.
Web: Tips (autism.org.uk)
Contact: Help and support (autism.org.uk)
Mencap
A UK wide charity supporting people with learning disabilities and their families.
Disability helpline: 0808 808 1111 (Mon-Fri, 10-3pm)
Web: Access Learning Disability Advice and Support | Mencap
Help and Support in a Crisis January 2020.pdf (mencap.org.uk)
Age UK (Herts)
Services for older people.
Hospital and Community Navigation Service: 0330 123 4044
Hertswise Dementia Support: 0300 4044
Information and advice: 0300 345 344
Web: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/hertfordshire/our-services/
Drugs and alcohol
Alcohol support - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Drug addiction: getting help - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Drugs and alcohol | Hertfordshire County Council
Contact Frank Directly | Confidential Advice | FRANK (talktofrank.com)
Welcome to UKNA | UKNA | Narcotics Anonymous in the United Kingdom
Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain (alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk)
Housing – Herts County Council – Out of Hours numbers
- North Herts Council - 0300 777 4125
- Stevenage Borough Council - 01438 314963
- Dacorum Borough Council - 0800 018 6050
- St. Albans District Council - 01727 866100
- Welwyn and Hatfield Borough Council - 0800 111 4484
- East Herts District Council - 01279 655 261
- Borough of Broxbourne - 01992 785 528
- Hertsmere Borough Council - 08453 000 021
- Watford Borough Council - 01923 226400
- Three Rivers District Council - 01923 776611
Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline
Tel: 08 088 088 088
Web: www.hertssunflower.org
Refuge
Tel: 0800 2000 247
Web: http://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
*If in immediate danger, always dial 999*
Herts Independent living
Services for older people.
Tel: 0330 2000 103
Email: info@hertsindependentliving.org
Web: https://hertsindependentliving.org/
Alzheimer’s Society
The UK’s leading dementia charity and provide support for those living with Dementia.
National Helpline: 0333 150 3456
Web: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-us/contact-us
YoungMinds Textline
Provides free, 24/7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis (all texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors).
Text: YM to 85258.
Childline
Young people under 19yrs can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small. Open 24/7.
Tel: 0800 11 11
Web: 1-2-1 counsellor chat | Childline
And finally...
Comedian Sarah Millican is hosting a Christmas Day ‘Tweet up’ on Twitter where people can use #joinin hashtag to join in and connect with others on Christmas Day. This has proved to be incredibly popular in previous years and helped many people who spend Christmas day alone feel less isolated and also have a bit of fun!
Wishing you a peaceful Christmas from us all here at HPFT.