Lmst

(Posting in my personal capacity.) Please unless truly necessary don’t venture out on suburban roads yet. It took A LOT of effort & good #samaritans shoveling in freezing temperatures, to help a couple get their vehicle out of the mix of ice & #snow in northern #VA. Monitor local authorities’ advice and be safe!

'A stranger asked me one question and it saved my life - so now I save others'

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/a-stranger-asked-one-question-36600445

Brits only leave their desk to go to the loo and 62% don't see daylight

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/brits-only-leave-desk-go-36576333

How to keep your mental health from snowballing this Christmas

Feelings that are small to begin with can easily snowball into something bigger with the many extra pressures and expectations that the festive season can bring.

Mind Cymru is reminding people in Wales that there is support available for anyone who might be struggling with their mental health this Christmas, and that intervention can save lives.

Simon Jones, Associate Director of Policy and Influencing, says:

“Christmas can often feel stressful, whether that’s due to other events happening in our lives, the financial pressures involved or how we navigate our relationships with others. And, while it is a time of year to celebrate, it can also be a time when feelings are heightened.

“Supporting someone with even the smallest of worries can help stop those feelings turning into something that weighs them down. And it can be especially important to remember this at times like Christmas.”

If you are worried about coping with your own emotions or about someone close to you during the festive season, Mind Cymru has some tips to help.

These include:

Looking after yourself

Be patient with yourself, prioritise what you need, and remember Christmas won’t last forever. Set boundaries where you need them and say no to things that aren’t helpful if you can. You don’t have to take on every task or go to every event.

Managing money

Making lists, plans or budgets can make money feel more manageable, as can being open about what you can spend. Reach out for support if you need to – organisations like Citizens Advice can help if you’re struggling with household bills, for example.

Avoiding comparisons

The ‘Christmas’ we see in adverts isn’t real, so be kind to yourself. Remember that what you see online often doesn’t reflect reality and can often make us feel worse about ourselves. Taking breaks from social media can also help.

Planning ahead
Think about what might feel difficult over Christmas and what could help you cope ahead of time. If regular routine is important to you, try and include this in your Christmas plans where possible. If you’re worried about feeling lonely or isolated this Christmas, think of ways to help pass the time in advance if you can.

Talking to others

Tell people you’re spending time with if you are struggling and let them know how they can help you. Remember that you don’t have to justify yourself to others. Online communities like Mind’s Side by Side service can also offer a safe place to connect with others if you need to during the festive period too.

Simon added: “If a person’s emotions do snowball into something bigger, it might not look like a crisis from the outside. It could look like being busy all the time, withdrawing from company, or like someone is simply coping.”

“Mind Cymru is here to remind people across Wales that there are people you can reach out to for support if you are worried this could be happening to you, or someone you know, this Christmas.”

If you are finding Christmas difficult, you can:

Call Mind’s Support Line on 0300 102 1234, open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm (closed on 25and 26 December 2024, and 1 January 2025).
Reach out to Mind’s online community Side by Side, available 7 days a week and 24 hours a day at https://sidebyside.mind.org.uk/
Call Samaritans on 116 123 (freephone). Their English language line is always open and their Welsh language line opens daily from 7pm to 11pm.
Text SHOUT to 85258, a free 24/7 crisis text service

Wales also has its own network of 15 local Minds providing drop in, befriending and other wellbeing services within communities across Wales. You can find out more on Mind’s website here.

#Christmas #mentalHealth #MindCymru #Samaritans

Sometimes all the extra pressure at this time of year makes things feel even heavier, especially if you’re already having a tough time.

Samaritans are here if you need them. 116 123 📱

-

#Samaritans
#Birmingham
#BirminghamUK
#Bromsgrove
#B31Voices #BVoices

Campaign aims to highlight support for those struggling over the festive period

https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/2025/12/18/campaign-aims-to-highlight-support-for-those-struggling-over-the-festive-period/

Talking saves lives. 🤍

https://inv.nadeko.net/TwJYqdKiEWw

#MentalHealth #Christmas #THFC #COYS #Loneliness #TogetherAgainstSuicide #Samaritans

Sometimes all the extra pressure at this time of year makes things feel even heavier, especially if you’re already having a tough time.

Samaritans are here if you need them. 116 123 📱

-

#Samaritans
#Birmingham
#BirminghamUK
#Bromsgrove
#B31Voices #BVoices

Douglas Booth's heartache as he reveals his dad 'tragically took his own life'

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/breaking-douglas-booths-heartache-reveals-36313728

Waiting to take the stage at COLCHESTER ARTS - I think this is my last solo show of 2025 - there have been many - thank you for all who have come along - today’s event is for #Samaritans #poetry #photography

Holding Andrea Gibson’s You Better Be Lightning

A poem about #mentalhealth #suicideawareness #poem #poetry raising money for #samaritans at #colchester @matthewcobb @helenczerski

Girl's death may have been a cry for help as she left note in her phone

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/girls-death-been-cry-help-36283443

Chilling parcel discovery after Brit 'flew to US to be killed by man she met online'

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/chilling-parcel-discovery-after-brit-36275491

I'm giving away my RTX3060 12GB - But only if we reach £500 for @samaritans by 14th Dec, 1900GMT
Let's make a real impact this year 💚
Donate & Share: https://tilt.fyi/ASAZKASApe
#CharityStream #Samaritans #Giveaway

Govia Thameslink #Railway has created a #Safeguarding Manager role to support passengers and staff across its #Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern and Thameslink networks. The post replaces and broadens the former Suicide Prevention Manager role. Rebecca Butler, who has more than 20 years’ safeguarding experience with vulnerable young people and adults, has been appointed. She previously led safeguarding teams at #Brighton & Hove City Council. At GTR she works with managers on issues such as #suicide prevention, County Lines, homelessness and violence against women and girls, alongside Network Rail, local authorities, #British #Transport Police and #charities including the #Samaritans and Railway Children. GTR says the role strengthens its commitment to safety, with the wider safeguarding work also supported by its “Your Station, Your Community Improvement Fund”.
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/govia-thameslink-railway/pressreleases/gtr-creates-safeguarding-manager-role-to-support-colleagues-and-passengers-3415899