Call I want for Xmas

Plea to swap ‘ 12 pubs’ tradition Phone family to aid mind health

REVELLERS are being urged to swap the “12 Pubs of Christmas” for the “12 Calls of Christmas”.

The challenge to reach out to people who may need a l ift was l aunched yesterday in a bid to boost the nation’s mental health over the holidays.

The initiative i s backed by Grow Mental Health and Expressway, who are encouraging people to make a difference by making 12 important calls to friends or loved ones this festive season.

The campaign was l aunched by Mental Health Minister Mary Butler after a record surge in demand for wel l - b e i n g s e r v i c e s . I t h o p e s t o encourage people to reconnect with lost loved ones and friends as well as raise much- needed funds.

The Grow Mental Health charity reports 400% increase in demand for services over Christmas.

Minister Butler said: “In this difficult and distressing period of living with Covid- 19, we all need to maintain contact with family and friends. Across the world, Covid- 19 has caused stress and anxiety but we can improve our mental well- being by getting in t o u c h wit h e a c h o t h e r through phone or video call.

“Th e 1 2 Ca l l s of Christmas remind us to make a call and to look

Holiday time after each other at a time when physical contact may be restricted. Connections are empowering and help us maintain positive mental health, so make a call for 12 days and stay safe.”

Grow Mental Health chief Michele Kerrigan added: “We hope that by encouraging people to take on the 12 C a l l s o f C h r i s t ma s c h a l l e n g e , individuals all over the country will be reminded that they are loved and cared for and they are not alone.”

For further information on the project visit www. grow. ie.