Help is available over Christmas for those who need it
THE festive season is dreaded by some and can be far from a time of love and laughter that it should be.
It can be a time when problems are heightened for some and to see others having fun and being happy can for them only add to their issues.
It can often be difficult to know where to turn to get vital help and advice for those suffering with mental health issues, caught in an abusive relationship or are feeling alone at Christmas.
But there is help out there for those who need it with many services available across Staffordshire and Derbyshire that are there to help over the Christmas and New Year period when it can seem that most places have shut for the holidays.
Remember that in an emergency always dial 999.
Here are some useful contact details if you encounter problems or just need someone to chat to if it all gets a bit too much. EMERGENCY SERVICES AND
DOMESTIC ABUSE
■■Derbyshire and Staffordshire Police can be contacted on 101 in non-emergencies
■■NHS and health advice is available on 111
■■Advice on getting help for domestic abuse is also available at https://www.derbyshire.police.uk/ advice/advice-and-information/daa/ domestic-abuse/how-to-reportdomestic-abuse/
■■Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline offers free, confidential support, 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247
MENTAL HEALTH
■■CALM (0800 58 58 58) thecalmzone.net has a helpline for men who are down and who need to talk or find information and support. It will be open 5pm to midnight throughout Christmas.
■■Depression Alliance is a charity for people with depression. It doesn’t have a helpline, but offers a wide range of useful resources and links to other relevant information. Visit it at depressionalliance.org
■■The Sanctuary (0300 003 7029 ) helps people who are struggling with depression, anxiety, panic attacks or otherwise in crisis. You can call its helpline between 8pm and 6am every night.
■■Samaritans (116 123, samaritans. org) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@ samaritans.org or write to Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA.
To find out where your nearest branch is, visit www.samaritans.org/ branches