By Amanda Lansbury EDI officer
At this time of year, most of us will be feeling the pressure of the added strain of spending out more and more money, not only do we have the cost of living crisis where food and energy bills are getting harder to pay for but now on top of that we will be feeling the added stress of making sure our family has a good Christmas with presents to open on the big day.
Christmas can be a time of joy but for others a time of hardship and strain on our Mental Health, its sometimes easy for most to put on a brave face for others and say everything is ok just to not give any worry to loved ones, however I wanted to write this article to say to you that
Its Okay to NOT be Okay!!!
If you can speak to your family or local GP about any concerns and worries, remember a problem shared is a problem halved. Now I know this is not always possible so I wanted to share some help that you can get from other organisations who are there to listen and offer advise and put you in the right direction.
Please don’t suffer in silence you as supporters are important to us at the MKDSA and I am always around at Lewingtons bar above gate 5 at home games and certainly at away matches if you would like a chat!!!
UK Mental Health Crisis Helplines
Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year call 116 123 (free from any phone), email jo@samaritans.org.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or try the CALM web chat service.
https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Shout – you could text SHOUT to 85258. It offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.
https://giveusashout.org/The Mix
If you’re under 25, you can call The Mix on 0808 808 4994 (3pm–midnight every day), request support by email using this form on The Mix website or use their crisis text messenger service.
https://www.themix.org.uk/mental-health
Papyrus HOPELINEUK. If you’re under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 (weekdays 10am-10pm, weekends 2pm-10pm and bank holidays 2pm–10pm), email pat@papyrus-uk.org or text 07786 209697.
https://www.papyrus-uk.org/
Nightline for students, you can look on the Nightline website to see if your university or college offers a night-time listening service. Nightline phone operators are all students too.
Switchboard. If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, you can call Switchboard on 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day), email chris@switchboard.lgbt or use their web chat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+.
https://nightline.ac.uk/
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
Citizens advice can help with all sorts of issues i.e. money, benefits, debt and relationships
Advice line England 0800 144 8848
Advice link Wales 0800 702 2020
On behalf of myself your EDI Officer and the MKDSA, I would like to wish you all a safe Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year!!!
