Coping at Christmas
Christmas can be a time of great joy but it can also trigger anxiety and stress.
Add a cancer diagnosis to the seasonal mix and we may need some help with our emotional responses.
FORCE Oncology Support Specialists Emma Ellis and Ali Ashby share some strategies for coping.
They have also compiled a list of organisations that may be able to offer help while our Support Centre is closed for the Christmas and New Year break.
See below for useful links, including self-help films and audio on the FORCE website.
If you or someone you are concerned about is in an emotional or mental health crisis that requires an urgent response then:
Contact the person’s GP, or the GP out of hours service or call NHS on 111.
If you have serious concerns for someone’s immediate safety then they can go to Accident and Emergency or phone the emergency services 999 for assistance.
Samaritans
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Open 24 hours
The National Suicide Prevention Helpline
https://www.spuk.org.uk/national-suicide-prevention-helpline-uk/
Tel: 0800 689 5652
6pm to 3:30am everyday
Marie Curie
https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/marie-curie-support-line/christmas
Tel: 0800 090 2309
See website for times
The Moorings
https://www.mhm.org.uk/the-moorings-devon
See website for times
SHOUT – support and confidential text service
Text SHOUT to 85258 – FREE 24 hours a day
NHS
FORCE Cancer Charity
https://forcecancercharity.co.uk/supporting-you/mindfulness-and-relaxation/
https://forcecancercharity.co.uk/videos/
FORCE offers a range of free support for you at any stage of your cancer journey.
If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with cancer and you need support, advice or information, contact FORCE.
Call: 01392 406151
Email: support@forcecancercharity.co.uk
Website: https://forcecancercharity.co.uk/supporting-you/
