How to find help with mental health and suicidal feelings this winter
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People in the Highlands are being urged to speak out rather than suffer in silence this Christmas.
The Highland Community Planning Partnership is backing national campaigns and local initiatives to support people during this festive season.
It points out that winter can be a tough time for many and this year could be especially so as households brace themselves for higher bills.
However, support is at hand from a range of local and national organisations.
Samaritans’ new winter campaign #break the silence is encouraging people to open up about their struggles with mental health and suicidal feelings. Every 90 minutes in the UK, someone dies by suicide, but talking saves lives.
Janet Guthrie from Inverness Samaritans said: “This time of year can be challenging for all sorts of reasons. Whether its family problems, financial worries or the grief for the loss of a loved one, the festive season can often magnify these pressures which might be especially hard this year, with many households facing the cost of living crisis.”
She added that help is only a phone call or a text away.
The Scottish Association for Mental Health’s “Ask Them About Suicide” campaign is spearheaded by a short film highlighting just how easily someone’s true feelings can be hidden, and how asking the right question can change everything.
How to access support
- Prevent Suicide Highland App: Highland Mental Wellbeing – includes useful national contacts, information, how to help and create a safety plan. Available free for Apple and Android mobile phones.
- Samaritans – 116 123. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Breathing Space – 0800 83 85 87. (Weekdays, Monday to Thursday 6pm-2am. Weekend, Friday 6pm to Monday 6am.)
- The NHS 24 Mental Health Hub is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 111.
Local services, including helplines and one-to-one support, are also available over the festive period from:
- Mikeysline – text: 07786 207755, WhatsApp. 01463 72900, or via Twitter, Facebook Messenger or Webchat via www.mikeysline.co.uk (Sun to Thurs 6pm-10pm, Fri to Sat 7pm-7am). One-to-one support in person or over the phone also available all evenings, apart from bank holidays.
- Ewen’s Room – 0800 689 3317 (Weekdays 5pm-10pm; Weekends noon-10pm)
- James Support Group – 07563 572 471 (24-hour helpline)
The Highland Community Planning Partnership brings together Highland Council, Police Scotland, NHS Highland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, High Life Highland and the Highland Third Sector Interface.
