Wellbeing Support at Christmas
Christmas is often portrayed as a time of joy and celebration, but for many people it can bring added pressure, loneliness, financial strain, and emotional challenges. This page brings together trusted information, practical advice, and supportive resources to help you understand how Christmas can affect mental health, recognise why this time of year is difficult for many, and find ways to cope and support others. Whether you are struggling yourself, or concerned about someone else, the resources below offer reassurance, understanding, and routes to support throughout the festive season.
Listen to the accompanying podcast here: Behind the Festive Cheer: Talking Support, Pressure and Wellbeing
Stephen Fry shares Christmas message about mental health
Stephen Fry has been praised for his “important” video message to people struggling at Christmas.
If you’re finding things hard this festive season
With the extra pressure that the festive season can bring, our worries and fears may seem worse this time of year. It’s important you check in on yourself and look after your wellbeing.
If you’re worried about someone else this festive season
The festive season can be a difficult time of year for many. If you’re worried about someone else this festive season, there are tips to help you reach out.
Coping with grief at Christmas
Whether it’s your first Christmas without them, or you lost someone many years ago, Christmas can be a particularly painful time.
Here is a short video and tips on how to cope with grief.
Money Pressures this Christmas
The best gift this Christmas may be not buying anyone anything – less pressure, less cost, less debt and more joy. This short video from Martin Lewis explains why…
BBC Sounds Money Box: Christmas Debt
Listen to how to manage your money better at Christmas… and avoid expensive debt in this podcast.
Gambling Support Services
While Christmas is a time of celebration it is important to reflect on the negatives of gambling harm. The marketing of quick wins and deals during Christmas time can quickly spiral into negative consequences if not checked up on. Find gambling support services here.
Christmas Triggers for Gambling Addiction: Warning Signs & Advice
Find out more about common Christmas triggers for gambling addiction and the warning signs of relapse here: Warning Signs & Advice.
Help for Problems with Gambling
Whether through specialist NHS clinics, charitable organisations, helplines, or self-help tools, people experiencing gambling-related harms (or their loved ones) can access free, confidential support and begin recovery. Find help for problems with gambling.
How To Enjoy a Sober Christmas for People in Recovery
Help and advice from Nuffield Health.
This video podcast discusses how to stay sober and enjoy Christmas without alcohol.
Managing eating disorders at Christmas
Christmas is often all about food, but what happens if that very thought of eating makes you anxious, unhappy and ill. This short video addresses just this.
Advice to support those with eating disorders at Christmas
The NHS and leading eating disorder charity Beat have drawn up new guidance to support those with eating disorders at Christmas.
Information from Mind
Copy and paste the links to view:
Understand how Christmas may affect your mental health: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/christmas-and-mental-health/christmas-and-mental-health/
Learn about why Christmas is hard for many people: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/christmas-and-mental-health/why-christmas-is-hard/
Read tips to help you cope at Christmas: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/christmas-and-mental-health/christmas-coping-tips/
Find ways to support others during Christmas: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/christmas-and-mental-health/supporting-others-at-christmas/
Discover useful contacts for finding support at Christmas: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/christmas-and-mental-health/useful-contacts/
© Mind. This information is published in full at mind.org.uk