Don’t feel isolated at Christmas
Monklands’ residents feeling lonely and vulnerable this Christmas are being offered a helping hand from North Lanarkshire Council.
Fopr the local authority has launched a special festive guide to help beat the winter blues.
The Surviving Christmas campaign aims to help those suffering from anxiety and depression during the holiday period.
A booklet provides tips and advice to help people deal with pressures including debt, stress and loneliness and was produced in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire.
The survival guide was launched at a suicide prevention training course held at the Civic Centre in Motherwell last week.
Paul Kelly, depute leader of the council, said: “Christmas is a time of celebration but we also recognise that it can also be a period of great stress for people, especially those with mental health issues, financial worries and those concerned perhaps worried about suicide.
“Our Surviving Christmas provides practical help and information to people who many need it at this particular time of the year and hopefully help take some of the stress out of the holiday period for those feeling under pressure.
“We all can play our part by looking out for friends and loved ones and also checking on those who are a bit more lonely or vulnerable and making sure they are doing alright.”
The booklet contains contact details for emergency services during the winter, financial and benefits help lines; stress control, domestic abuse support and alcoholics anonymous.
Practical tips on staying safe at home and on nights out are also included.
Local businesses, pubs, clubs, hospitals and hotels are all supporting the initiative and will have copies of the help booklet available.
The Surviving Christmas booklet can be downloaded from www.northlanarkshire. gov.uk/safer
To take part in one of the suicide prevention courses visit: www.elament. org.uk/training/north-lanarkshire