Many of us find Christmas hard, especially when other people can appear to have what looks like ‘perfect’ lives from the outside.
You might be struggling this year for the first time. Or you may have found Christmas difficult in the past. If you’ve suffered bereavement, been feeling down, lonely, or anxious it is so important to reach out, as you are not alone, and there are people out there who really do care.
Read on for what support is available locally…
The council runs a very dedicated mental health resources page camden.gov.uk/mental-health. Mind, the mental health charity, offer a peer support service over Christmas; go to Mind’s Side by Side website to find out more. You can get talking help from the NHS service icope.nhs.uk (also on 020 3317 6670).
Also, those over 55 can use the counselling service offered by Age UK. Reach out at counselling@ageukcamden.org.uk or call 0207 239 0400.
It may also be helpful to remember there are other resources to call upon. Community centres, which are listed on the Camden Council website and the many churches, mosques and temples around Camden, who welcome new visitors. Plus the Salvation Army is a very special charity who welcome all, particularly at this time of year www.salvationarmy.org.uk/chalk-farm.
Money Help
Camden Council’s updated cost of living information is now available at www.camden.gov.uk/costofliving. To download the latest version of the Cost of Living booklet go to the ‘downloadable resources’ section of this page. Check it out to get the low down on benefits, debt advice, fuel payments, as well as help and advice to get through the winter.
Mental Health Crisis Support In Camden
- for help in a mental health crisis call the 24 hour crisis line on 020 3317 6333 for specialist support. In an emergency always call 999.
- contact your local GP surgery and ask for an emergency appointment. You don’t need to be registered as a patient already.
- Camden Crisis Sanctuary offers face-to-face, telephone, and online support 365 days a year to Camden residents every evening and weekend, 5pm to 10.30pm. No referral is required. You can also call 07825 165 464 between 5pm and 11pm, or leave a message for staff to call you back.
Walk-In Emergency Mental Health Support
Did you know you can get an emergency mental health assessment 24 hours a day and seven days a week by walking into the Highgate Mental Health Centre on Dartmouth Park Hill in Highgate?
The centre can be contacted on Crisis line 0300 200 0169 or NHS 111 (option #2). Please note anyone needing immediate medical intervention such as for medical illness or severe self-harm would need to attend A & E.