Holiday Toolkit

Emergency support

• If you're in immediate danger of hurting yourself or others:

- Go directly to the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department of your local hospital to get help.-

- Call 999 to request an ambulance if you are unable to reach the hospital yourself

• If you're feeling distressed and need urgent support:

- Contact your GP surgery to request an emergency appointment

- If your GP surgery isn't open, call the free NHS out-of-hours medical line on 111 for help accessing the right services or contact NHS 111 via their website

- You can call the Samaritans on 116 123 to talk to someone at any time, day or night

• Free, confidential, 24/7 support is available by text message. Text ‘shout’ to 85258 or visit giveusashout.org for more information.
• text Mikeysline for support
• look after yourself and get good advice from clear your head
• information on anxiety, low mood, stress and where you can get help from NHS

For more information visit our emergency support pages.

Advice for the holidays

While the holiday season can represent joy, gratitude and togetherness, it can also be associated with family and financial pressure, loneliness, anxiety and tension. Even if you look forward to the holidays, it’s normal to experience periods of stress or difficulty.

According to research from the UK, most people feel stressed, anxious, and depressed over the holidays.  In fact, over two in five Brits have felt stressed during the festive season, while one in four have struggled with anxiety or depression (YouGov 2019 UK)

If you find yourself experiencing mixed emotions, worries, or even real distress over the holidays, that’s okay, and perhaps keep some of these thoughts in mind.

First of all, it’s okay to not be okay during the holidays and reach out for support when you need it.

The holidays may cause a mixture of complicated situations and emotions, such as family and relationship conflict, anxiety around relationships, worries about food, coping with grief, or feeling that everyone else is having a great time and you’re missing out.

All these feelings are valid and okay, and you’re not alone.

Don’t wing it during the holidays - come up with a plan to feel better and take control 

1. Write down the days you’ll be surrounded by people or have a lot going on. Think through the days that might be tough and identify when you’ll need extra support or breaks.
2. Identify the people and resources you want to use for support. Talk with these people beforehand or investigate a resource and define strategies for coping.
3. Set your intentions: Whether it’s sleep, how you eat, how much you drink, where exercise plays a role, or whether you engage in certain conversations, set your intentions in advance so you can feel in control in the moment. This approach can be generalized for the holiday season or you can do this on a day-to-day or event-by-event basis.

Take time to develop a list of coping skills that work for you and then think carefully about when you’ll use them.

1. Take time to get support from people who understand your experiences on Togetherall. Get ideas, get support, or create your own group of friends to support each other during the holiday season.
2. Take a nap
3. Go for a walk alone in a favorite location or walk with someone who helps you feel better
4. Plan to meditate in a way that works for you and will help you to feel calm and gain perspective.

Remember to allow yourself to be in the moment

Rather than comparing your experiences, feelings and relationships to others’, allow yourself to be present in your life without judgement.

Be realistic about the holidays and plan ahead if you think you might experience complicated emotions.

The holidays can be wonderful, happy, complicated, and stressful.

If you feel like you need a safe space to talk with others who understand, try Togetherall; a free, safe anonymous online community where you can give and get support from others.

Information provided by: Chief Clinical Officer of Togetherall, Dr. Ben Locke

Estranged students

Supporting estranged students in higher education (standalone.org.uk)

An advice centre for students who have no contact with their family. Find information about support, financing your studies and accommodation options as an estranged student.

The holidays can be challenging for people who have become estranged from their family or children.

This guide is intended to help you with some of the most common festive frustrations and give you an idea of how others in our community cope with the season.

https://www.standalone.org.uk/guides/festive-guide/

Information for parents

Some activities for under 13s 

• Feeling snowflakes - print and cut out the snowflakes and answer the questions
• Make sure to get some good sleep
• If you are stressed do some breathing
• you can use the worry tree or some coping cards
• you can get some relaxation in or some animal relaxation
• get a workout in with the 7 minute animal workout
• and out favourite technique for the wole family is the 5 senses

With concerns about money here is a great blog to read for parents tips on supporting children's wellbeing in the cost of living crisis.

Student minds have created a guide for parents about money and mental health.

Students who are carers

Carer Support Line 01463 723560

Connecting Carers Office 01463 723575

Email carers@connectingcarers.org.uk

Connecting Carers - Connecting Carers & Connecting Young Carers

Care experienced students

Who Cares? Scotland helpline will remain open between 12-4pm Monday-Friday through the holiday period and can be accessed either by calling 0330 107 7540 or emailing help@whocaresscotland.org

Advocacy support will still be available however due to members of the Highland team taking time off over the fortnight the best way for students to get in touch would be to contact Head Office on 0141 226 4441 who will direct the call to the advocate on-call.

Barnardo's have confirmed that they will have on-call support over the festive period apart from the 25th – 26th December / 1st – 2nd of January. Care experienced young people can contact them for emotional and practical supports such as food parcels, help with heating costs etc 01463 751206.

Foodbank information

Find Your Nearest Foodbank Highland Foodbank.

Money advice