We are a community for people with lived experience of mental health to campaign for change.
Please note that this guide was put together for the December 2020 to January 2021 festive period. The information contained within the guide may now be out of date.
The Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN) has published the annual Christmas mental health guide for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Each year, IMHN produces a written guide about changes to the operating hours of local mental health support during the festive period. Also included are the details of national helplines that people can access.
The resource has been written for both members of the public and mental health professionals alike. We are encouraging people to share this with others who might find it useful.
Tom Renhard, CEO of the Independent Mental Health Network, said:
We know that Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for many. We have created this guide to help ensure people and communities in the area can find the right support when they need it.
I would encourage everyone to share this guide to anybody it may help and start a conversation with someone we care about. It’s important to reach out and keep in touch with loved ones, especially those who may be struggling and feeling isolated.
This year, the information included in the guide takes account for the fact that many services are not running as they normally would, due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The guide can be accessed by visiting www.imhn.org/christmas2020. A version with accessibility in mind has also been produced, available on the same webpage.
– ENDS –
Notes to editors
Press contact/enquiries: press[@]imhn.org (take care to remove the square brackets from this email address)
What is the Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN)?
IMHN are a member-led organisation that work for and in the interests of people with lived experience of mental health. The network supports work improving local mental health services, contributing and campaigning on mental health matters happening both locally and nationally. IMHN actively challenges mental health stigma by working with partner organisations.
Why has IMHN produced this guide?
IMHN has been producing a Christmas mental health signposting guide for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire since 2015. Each year, the guide is read by hundreds of people, with many people telling us they find it useful.
In addition during 2020, IMHN has also launched a web guide to local mental health services and how they have changed how they are running during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic). This has been continually updated throughout the year, and can be viewed at: https://www.imhn.org/coronavirus/guide/
December 22, 2020 at 8:50 pm