Where to find help over the festive period

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 festive and New Year period when it can seem that most places have shut for the holidays.

Remember that in an emergency, always dial 999.

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 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) thecalm zone.net has a helpline for men who are down and who need to talk or find information and support. The service is open 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year.

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 depressionalliance.org

The Sanctuary (0300 003 7029 ) helps people who are struggling to cope – experiencing depression, anxiety, panic attacks or in crisis.

You can call them 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, write to Freepost RSRB-KKBYCYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA and visit www.samaritans.org/ branches to find your nearest branch.

In Derbyshire, those experiencing a crisis can now get the help of a 24/7 helpline by calling 0800 028 0077, which will not only help with mental health but the chance to talk through practical issues. In addition, they may now be given the option of face-to-face support at a “safe haven”, where they can continue to discuss their problems in a calm, welcoming environment. The changes have come about as the 24/7 helpline, run by Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, becomes a permanent service as part of improvements being made through the Joined Up Care Derbyshire programme. The helpline team now consists of staff from the charity P3, as well as clinical staff from Derbyshire Healthcare.

Support for the elderly

Age UK has an national advice line on 0800 055 6112 which is open 8am to 7pm, every day of the year and more information on the services it offers can be found at www.ageuk. org.uk/

The Staffordshire branch of Age UK can be contacted on 01785 788477 or by emailing info@ageuk staffordshire.org.uk

Sexual abuse

Sarac (Sexual Abuse Rape Advice

Centre) is a charity based in Burton offering free, independent and oneto-one emotional support, information and advice. It can be contacted on 01283 535110 or by emailing staff@sarac.org.uk. It offers support to people in East Staffordshire, Lichfield and District, South Staffordshire and Tamworth.

Grange Park Sexual Assault Referral Centre is a centre providing services to men, women and children living in Stoke and Staffordshire who have been raped or sexually assaulted. Services are free and confidential and the centre can be contacted on 0800 970 0372.

Victim Support is for people affected by crime and in need of confidential support or information with a free Supportline on 0808 1689111. The Supportline operates 24/7, every day of the year, including Christmas.

Rape Crisis National Telephone Helpline offers a national helpline for confidential emotional support, information and referral details. The helpline is available on 0808 802 9999 and is open between noon and 2.30pm and 7pm to 9.30pm every day of the year.

Havoca provides information to any adult who is suffering from past childhood abuse and is available at www.havoca.org