The end of year is fast approaching, and Christmas is just around the corner. Whether you’re staying in Manchester or travelling home for Christmas, there will be plenty of support that is available to you over the Christmas break. Student Services will be closed from Friday 18th December 2020 and will re-open for Students to contact on Monday 4th January 2021.
If you need any help or advice during the Christmas period, please explore the links below to find out more about the support services that are available to you.
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Difficult feelings about Christmas during the Coronavirus pandemic
Many of us may find Christmas difficult this year, for lots of different reasons. It might be that you usually enjoy the festive period, but you’re worried about how COVID will affect things, you may not be able to travel home for Christmas and spend the festive period with your family or you may have found Christmas tough in the past and this year might feel no different.
Mental health tips for the Christmas period
Looking after your mental health during a lockdown
Students – Should I go home for Christmas
Preparing to go home for Christmas
Making the most of the time at home
Staying at University over the Christmas break
Are you going home for Christmas, but don’t want to?
Worried you won’t be able to go home for Christmas
Bereavement at Christmas
Christmas can be an overwhelming time if you are grieving. It can feel hard whether you’ve lost someone recently or a long time ago. This year might feel harder if you haven’t been able to grieve properly or receive the right support because of COVID. You may have even missed saying goodbye to people who have died.
Christmas can hold happy memories, like remembering a person’s favourite Christmas film or song or will hold many family traditions. But, it can also cause sadness, anger or regret. Your experience and what helps you cope will be individual to you. You can find more information about bereavement, grief and ways to cope by visiting the Cruse Bereavement page
Cruse Bereavement Helpline: 0808 808 1677
Coping with Grief at Christmas
Why Christmas can be a hard time
Grief or disappointment for lost experiences
You may have missed out on certain experienced because of COVID. This might be cancelling events like visiting friends or family, a holiday, wedding, or visiting home. These lost experiences can cause sadness and disappointment, and even feelings of grief. If you can’t have your usual Christmas, it might feel like another loss. For example, you may not be able to see people or do any Christmas activities which bring you happiness, joy and comfort.
This may feel harder if there are lots of adverts about Christmas, or if you are seeing other people continue with their usual Christmas traditions. Sometimes, it may make you look back on your own memories and bring sadness if you are thinking about what you are missing out on. For some of us, the pandemic may also mean we will spend Christmas alone, or away from people we might usually see.
Pressure and expectations
You might feel pressure if people around you have different priorities over Christmas. For example, your friends or family may have different views about following health or travel guidelines. This may be stressful or upsetting, especially if you’re asked to do things which make you feel uncomfortable.
You may also feel pressure to be around people you aren’t comfortable with, or be in a place that makes you feel unsafe. This time of year is often especially hard if you have experienced abuse or trauma.
Freephone 24 hour national domestic abuse helpline: 0808 2000 247 or visit www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk (access live chat Mon-Fri 3-10pm)
Stress and money worries
Living with uncertainty can feel stressful or tiring. For example, this may be knowing where we can go or who we can spend time with. This might also affect things like planning gifts, meals or travel. For many of us, money may also feel tighter than usual this year. This might be because of redundancy or worries about the pandemic may affect out income and finances. The pandemic may have created some extra pressure on your finances, get advice and practical tips to help with money worries here.
Futureworks offers financial support, please check your eligibility here and apply online
We also offer Foodbank vouchers, please speak to the Student Welfare Officer Leanne, if you are experiencing financial difficulty and require any foodbank vouchers: support@futureworks.ac.uk
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Tips for Coping during Christmas
We know many people can feel anxious over the Christmas period and become especially anxious about social gatherings during the festive period; it’s quite common. People who experience anxiety and particularly social anxiety can feel pressure to attend the various social engagements and commitments that Christmas brings. This can lead to increased feelings of anxiety.
If you find Christmas a difficult time of year, this section has some tips to help you get through it:
5 tips to look after your mental health over Christmas
Coping with anxiety and depression at Christmas
What it’s like to have depression at Christmas
What it's like to have OCD at Christmas
How to cope with a lack of structure over Christmas
Looking after your mental health at Christmas
What to do if you find Christmas difficult
Having a tricky relationship with food at Christmas
Navigating Christmas if you have a difficult relationship with your family
Coping with a loss at Christmas
You and your mental health still matters at Christmas
Tips on looking after your mental health this Christmas
What to do if you're struggling with your mental health over Christmas
1. Don't over Indulge
As tempted as we all get to “treat ourselves” over the
festive period, it is important to remember the impact that food can have on
our mood. Too much sugar and caffeine can cause us to peak and crash and often
impacts on our emotions.
2. Drink Responsibly
Many people say that alcohol helps to relax their anxiety however, drinking too much and the following hangover can often lead us to feel worse. Know your limits and stay safe. Keep hydrated by drinking water and other non-alcoholic beverages.
3. Keep Active
We can still go for a walk or maintain our exercise regimen during the festivities. Many gyms offer 24 hours access which means that we don’t need to miss out. Try to look after your physical health over the Christmas period.
4. Distraction
If things do feel like they are getting too much, remember your distraction techniques. Calm Keys are available from the Anxiety UK website with accessible useful tips and advice on breathing, relaxation and distraction techniques on a handy keyring.
5. Move at your own pace
Don’t feel pressured to get caught up in the whirlwind and rush of Christmas. Our reality of Christmas isn’t what we see on TV and social media and that is ok!
6. Make some time for yourself
Watch your favourite film, read a book, listen to music. Be sure to practice some self-preservation and be kind to yourself. Spend at least one day in your pyjamas and relax!
7. Have a plan for the festive season
If you are heading to a family or friends this Christmas, be sure to have a plan in place for if your anxiety does peak. Speak to a friend ahead of your festive plans and discuss the best methods to help you if you enter a panic. This means that you have a trusted person who is equipped to help you cope and make you feel safe.
8. Mindfulness
10 minutes of Mindfulness practice each day could help to keep you grounded, calm and relaxed. Apps that can help:
Stay Alive: Health and fitness App - Free
The Stay Alive app is a suicide prevention resource
for the UK. It has useful information and tools to help you stay safe in
crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide. Or if you are
concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.
Website: www.preventsuicide.org.uk/stay_alive_suicide_prevention_mobile_phone_application.html
Headspace
Headspace is designed to help you to manage your
mental health
E-mail: help@headspace.com
Website: www.headspace.com
Smiling Mind
Free meditation App
Website: www.smilingmind.com.au
9. Know where you can turn to for support
Make sure you look at who you can contact for support on the bottom of this email
10. Rest
Be sure to get plenty of sleep and rest during Christmas. Feeling tired can lead to us feeling less able to cope. Grab yourself an early night or a nice lie in.
Christmas can be a time for celebration, but it can also be challenging for those going through difficult times. Whatever this festive period means to you, it’s important that everyone feels able to manage their mental health throughout the festive period. Whether you’re unsure how to cope with the loss of a loved one or going home for Christmas is making you feel worried, here are some tips and ideas for looking after your mental health:
Be gentle, generous and patient with yourself
- It's ok to prioritise what's best for you, even if others don't seem to understand
- Think about what you need and how you might be able to get it
- Consider talking to someone you trust about what you need to cope
Plan ahead
Think about what might be difficult about Christmas for you, and if there's anything that might help you cope. It might be useful to write this down. For example:
- If you sometimes experience flashbacks, panic attacks or dissociation, make a note of what helps during these moments, and keep it with you.
- If you're going to be somewhere unfamiliar for Christmas, think about what you need to help you cope. Are there things you can bring to make you feel more comfortable? Or is there somewhere you can go to take a break?
- Certain places may feel very uncomfortable for you, for example if they bring back difficult memories. Could you plan to spend less time in difficult places, or not go at all? Are there any reasonable excuses for you to stay away?
- Think about whether you really need to do things if you're not looking forward to them. Can you do them differently or for less time?
- Make a list of any services that you might need and their Christmas opening hours.
- If you're worried about feeling lonely or isolated this Christmas, think about some activities to help pass the time. For example, this might be doing something creative or spending time in nature. See pages on relaxation for more ideas.
- Try to plan something nice to do after Christmas. Having something to look forward to next year could make a real difference.
Manage relationships
If other people's questions are difficult, you could plan some answers in advance so you're not caught off guard. For example, about your plans or how you're doing.
- Think about how to end difficult conversations. It's ok to tell someone you don't want to talk about something, or to change the subject. It might help to practise what you'll say.
- Suggest an activity or an easy way to move on, if you want to help end an unwanted conversation. For example, this could be playing a game, or taking a screen break if you’re on a video call.
- If other people don't seem to understand how you're feeling, you could share this information with them. You could also think about writing down how you're feeling and sharing this with them, if conversations are difficult.
Look after yourself
Set a 'start' and 'finish' time for what you count as Christmas. Remind yourself that it won't last forever.
- Set your boundaries. Say no to things that aren't helpful for you.
- Let yourself experience your own feelings. Even if they don't match what's going on around you, they're still real and valid.
- Take time out. Do something to forget that it's Christmas or distract yourself. For example, you could watch a film or read a book that's set in the summer. Or you could try learning a new skill.
- Let yourself have the things you need. For example, if you need to take time out instead of doing an activity.
- If you can't avoid something difficult, plan something for yourself afterwards to help reduce the stress or distress you might feel.
Talking to other people
Let people know you're struggling. It can often feel like it's just you when it's not. See this page on opening up to others about your mental health for tips.
- It doesn't have to be people who are already in your life. You could join an online community to talk others who have similar experiences to yours. Mind’s online community Side by Side is a safe place to connect with others who understand what you’re going through.
- Tell people what they can stop, start or continue doing to help you. For example, you could let them know any activities you’d like to be involved in, and what they can do to support you during Christmas. Or you could tell them any questions or topics that you find hard to discuss, so they can avoid asking about them.
- You don't have to justify yourself to others. But you might feel pressured to, especially if someone asks a lot of questions. It could help to let them know that certain situations are difficult for you, and tell them what they can do to help. It might also help to tell them that you understand they may see things in a different way.
- You might not be able to make others understand. That's Ok.
Get Support
If you're struggling this Christmas, you may want to find support for your mental health. There are plenty of charities and organisations that can support you:
In crisis? Call 999 if you are in serious distress or in danger of harming yourself or others. Alternatively:
Go to A&E at your local hospital. The nearest to Futureworks is Manchester Royal Infirmary (0161 276 4147)
Contact your GP / 111
Call Samaritans 116 123 (free to call, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
Contact Papyrus on 0800 068 4141
24/7 mental health helpline for Greater Manchester - 01204 4830
New 24/7 mental health for carers and service users who are currently engaged with the GMMH service - Greater Manchester - 01204 483 071
New 24/7 mental health crisis line for people of all ages in Halton, Knowsley, St Helens & Warrington - 01925 275 309
New 24/7 crisis line for people of all ages in Wigan - 01942 636 395
24/7 access to mental health services in Barnsley:
Adults aged 18+ - 01226 645000
Children & young people (CAMHS) - 01226 644829
People with a learning disability - 01226 645237
24/7 access to mental health services in Wakefield:
Adults aged 18+ - 01924 316900
Children & young people (CAMHS) - 01977 735865
People with a learning disability - 01977 465435
Student Space
Support services:
Text support (24/7)
Phone support (3 pm to 12 am everyday - new extended
availability)
Webchat support (4 pm to 11 pm every day)
Email support (24/7 - response within 24 hours)
For men in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.
Open 5pm - Midnight, 365 days of the year.
0800 58 58 58
Samaritans offer a helpline where anyone can call at any time. They listen, help and talk through concerns, worries and problems.
Call 116 123 FREE (24 hours, 365 days a year) or email: jo@samaritans.org
42nd Street supports young people aged 11-25 years with their emotional well-being and mental health.
Open Monday - Friday 9.30-5pm
0161 228 7321
Email: theteam@42ndstreet.org.uk
LGBT Foundation campaings for a fair and equal society aimed at meeting the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.
Open weekdays 10am-6pm
0345 330 3030
Email: info@lgbt.foundation
Advice and support for disabled students, parents and or carers of a disabled student or professionals working with a disabled student on a wide range of issues.
0330 995 0414 / 0800 328 5050
Provide support and information to anybody affected by OCD, so you are not facing OCD on your own.
0845 390 6232 / 020 7253 2664
Email: support@ocdaction.org.uk
Cruse aim to support people at any age if they are struggling to cope or need someone to talk to after the death of someone close. The helpline is open Monday-Friday 9.30-5pm (excluding bank holidays), with extended hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, when we’re open until 8pm.
0808 808 1677 / 07377 710 381
Beat are a charity supporting anyone affected by eating disorders or difficulties with food, weight and shape.
Helpline: 0808 801 0677 / 0845 634 7650
Student helpline: 0800 801 0811
Email: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk
The sanctuary provides overnight mental health crisis support to adults who are in crisis
0300 003 7029
Local Manchester offices open 8:30am – 5:30pm
Trafford: 0161 226 3871
Stockport: 0161 480 2020
Email: pws.manchester@selfhelpservices.org.uk
Provide support and help if you've been diagnosed with or suspect you may have an anxiety condition
Text Service: 07537 416 905
Helpline: 03444 775 774 (Open Mon-Fri 9.30am - 5.30pm)
Mind are a charity that provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. We campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
0300 123 3393 Open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm
Text: 86463
SANE provides emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers.
0300 304 7000 (Helpline open 4.30pm-10.30pm).
Student Minds is the UK’s student mental health charity. We empower students and members of the university community to look after their own mental health, support others and create change. Together we will transform the state of student mental health so that all in higher education can thrive.
We improve the lives of people severely affected by mental illness through our network of local groups and services, expert information and successful campaigning. Our goal is to make sure everyone affected by severe mental illness has a good quality of life.
YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity championing the wellbeing and mental health of young people.
FREE Text Service (24/7) - If you need urgent help text YM to 85258
Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you. Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night"
Call: 0800 1111
Shout is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.
TEXT Shout to 85258
Essential support for under 25's.
0808 808 4994
Text THEMIX to 85258
A campaign to change the way people think about mental health.
Chat online - Monday to Friday 10:00am - 12:00pm
Emotional and practical support for LGBT+ people experiencing domestic abuse. Abuse isn’t always physical- it can be psychological, emotional, financial and sexual too. Speak out, don't suffer in silence.
Opening Times:
10am – 5pm Monday, Tues, Friday
10am – 8pm Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
1pm – 5pm Tuesday is trans specific service.
Online chat:
5pm - 8pm Wednesday, Thursday
Our confidential helpline is available for male victims of domestic abuse and male victims of domestic violence across the UK.
Call: 01823 334244
Trafford Domestic Abuse Services (TDAS) is a registered charity. We offer support to individuals and families living or working in the Trafford area who are suffering or who have suffered domestic abuse.
Call for Support, Help and Advice 0161 872 7363
The African and Caribbean Mental Health Services (ACMHS) is a voluntary charitable organisation that was formed in October 1989 to provide support to African and African Caribbean people with mental health problems aged 16 and over and registered with a Manchester GP. The Mental Health Team works with people who have common mental health problems i.e. depression, anxiety, relationship problems and low self-esteem by offering advice, CBT and person-centered counselling, CBT therapies, advocacy, health and well-being groups.
0161 226 9562
Due to the stigma attached to people with mental health problems, the name Chinese/Vietnamese Mental Health Project was changed to the Kwan Wai Project in 2002. Kwan Wai means support and caring. We are funded by Manchester Social Services Department, and our services are free to any resident of Manchester. However, we are able to provide services to anybody in the Greater Manchester area who is referred and funded by social services.
0161 833 0377 (Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm)
The Trafford South Asian Mental Health Service was set up in April 1995 to work with South Asian individual's (aged 18 years and above) experiencing mental ill-health, their carers, families and communities who reside within the borough of Trafford. South Asian refers to individuals whose origin/heritage is from Pakistan, India or Bangladesh. The team can converse in Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi and English. The service is community based, located at Broome House.
0161 434 7800
We hope you all have a lovely Christmas and a happy new year!
Student Services