This festive period, NHS Greater Manchester is urging anyone who is struggling with their mental health or coping with bereavement to not face it alone and to seek support.
Christmas and New Year are often seen as a time of celebration and fun. For some people, the festivities can prove to be incredibly difficult and challenging, increasing feelings of loneliness, helplessness, and grief. Shorter days, winter illnesses and costs associated with presents and parties can further add to this strain.
NHS Greater Manchester wants to reassure people that support is available across the city-region throughout the festive period to help whatever the time or day.
Urgent mental health support
Anyone who needs urgent mental health support, including if you feel unsafe or are experiencing extreme distress, can call NHS 111 and select option 2. This free service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can be accessed for yourself or someone else.
Bereavement support
The Greater Manchester Bereavement Service provides free, confidential support for anyone who lives or works in Greater Manchester and has been bereaved by any cause, no matter how long ago.
The service is open Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm, excluding bank holidays:
Further mental health support available
Free digital mental wellbeing support
People can access free, safe and anonymous online mental health support through Kooth (ages 10 - 25) and Qwell (ages 26+). These services are available 24/7, with no referral or waiting lists, and offer professional support, self-help tools and moderated online communities. You can find their opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period here
Online wellbeing programmes – SilverCloud
SilverCloud provides confidential online programmes for people aged 16+ to help manage stress, improve sleep and support overall wellbeing. Additional support is available for parents and carers supporting children and young people with anxiety: gm.silvercloudhealth.com/signup/.
Eating disorder support
Beat Eating Disorders offers a national helpline, online support groups and resources for anyone affected by eating disorders. Call 0808 801 0677 (Monday - Friday 9am - 8pm).
Suicide prevention support
If you’re feeling suicidal, worried about someone else, or affected by suicide, our dedicated website Shining a Light on Suicide lists free help and advice including for the military community, LGBTQ+ community and people experience domestic abuse or addiction. Whatever you’re going through, Shining A Light On Suicide can support.
The Samaritans can offer support 24/7 through their free helpline: 116 123.
Papyrus offer help to young people and their families to prevent young suicide. You can access their helpline 24/7: 0800 068 41 41
Case Studies
Hope Unit, Bury
Pennine Care’s Hope Unit is an inpatient CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health) service supporting young people aged 13 - 18 with significant mental health needs. Over the festive period, staff continue to provide a safe and supportive environment, recognising that this time of year can be particularly challenging. Activities provide opportunities for connection and support, helping young people feel valued and part of a community.
Bluesci at Night, Trafford
Bluesci at Night provides evening and overnight mental health and wellbeing support at Old Trafford Wellbeing Centre, remaining open every day of the year, including bank holidays. One individual accessing support said:
“Especially at Christmas time… being welcomed made more of a difference than being alone in my accommodation. It made me feel I wasn’t alone.”
These case studies show how local services ensure that anyone struggling over the festive period can access support when they need it most. Further information and additional details available on request.
Greater Manchester Bereavement Service
Mike Palmer MBE from 3 Dads Walking recently shared his story to raise awareness of the support he has received from the Greater Manchester Bereavement Service after the death by suicide of his daughter Beth. You can find his full story here: Dad shares his story during Grief Awareness Week - Shining a Light on Suicide