The Christmas gift that nobody wanted – not the Lynx body spray gift set – but a more stringent lock-down system for Sussex (and beyond) has just been announced. Like a few hours ago just announced. Yay. And while it won’t change my lifestyle as I currently know it that much – it’s still bloody scary for everyone. Will we ever get back to normal? Is this us now?

I can’t. But what’s the merit in complaining about it now? The out of office is on, mother is here, the spiced almond biscuits are open – and Little Women is half way done already. I’m going to try not to think about things until Boxing Day when the new restrictions kick in. I realise how privileged I am to be able to say such a thing and I don’t take that lightly.

I’m definitely very up and down in the way I’ve been coping, like most. Some days I just can’t see to the end of the day, others are okay. I’ve been napping a lot more than normal and even though I joke about it, I know it’s my body – and mind’s – way of dealing. An hour a day keeps the despair away, or something like that.

There are so many people alone this season, so many people who have been rocked by the newest pandemic news – my heart genuinely goes out to them all. It’s so hard but we have to keep going I guess. We also need to keep an eye out for others and treat them with as much kindness as we can muster. And ourselves too, we’re no good to anyone if we don’t look after our own mental health too. 

I just wanted to say, if you are alone or need somebody to talk to this Christmas, please reach out. I’m only a comment or a message away. 

Here’s a list of UK help – just in case:

Emergency 999

  • Call an ambulance if you are in danger
  • Call 999 for an ambulance or the police

NHS 111 Service

  • Call if you need non-emergency medical help
  • Call 111 if you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency
  • NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
  • 111 Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones

NHS A&E

  • Go to your local A&E if you can
  • You can also go to, or call your nearest accident and emergency department and tell the staff team that you are thinking about suicide, or with a person who is thinking about suicide

Samaritans

  • Confidential emotional support
  • The Samaritans are a 24 hour confidential, listening service providing emotional support for anyone in crisis
  • 116 123 Call now (free)

CALM Helpline

  • Confidential, anonymous support
  • The Campaign Against Living Miserably offers confidential, anonymous and free support information and signposting to people anywhere in the UK through their helpline and online webchat
  • 0800 585 858 – call now (nationwide, open 7 days a week, 5pm to midnight. Calls are free from landlines payphones and all mobiles)

Papyrus

  • Prevention of young suicide, for the under 35s
  • Papyrus is a national confidential helpline for any young people (under 35) at risk of suicide, or anyone worried about a young person at risk of suicide
  • The helpline is open 10am-10pm Weekdays, 2pm-10pm Weekend, 2pm-5pm Bank Holidays
  • 0800 068 4141
  • Call now or send an email Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
  • Or text 07786 209697 and send a message (you do not have to give your name or location)

SANE Mental Health Helpline

  • Out-of-hours mental health helpline
  • SANE runs a national, out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers
  • Open every day of the year from 6pm to 11pm.
  • 0300 304 7000 – call now or…
  • Text Care provides extra support when feeling lonely or isolated. This is not a crisis service
  • Textcare is one – way service, so you will not be able to directly reply to a text received

Mind

  • For better mental health
  • Mind’s team provides information on a range of topics including: types of mental health problem, where to help help, medication and alternative treatments and advocacy
  • They will look for details of help and support in your own area
  • Lines are open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays)
  • 0300 123 3393 – call the Mind infoline
  • Phone calls from UK landlines and mobiles are charged at local rates, counts towards any inclusive minutes on mobiles
  • Text 86463 – send a message

Shout

  • Free 24/7 text service
  • Shout is the UK’s first free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help
  • Shout is powered by a team of volunteers, who are at the heart of the service. We take people from crisis to calm every single day
  • We will always try to respond to texters as quickly as possible, however our responses will be longer at times of high demand. We will always respond to high risk texters as a priority
  • Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258

Please care of yourselves and each other.