Published on: 21 December 2023
The festive period and the months that follow can often be a difficult time for people. That's why we're encouraging people to take care of their mental health, and to think about the mental wellbeing of others, at this time of year.
There are lots of self-help tips and advice on the NHS’s Every Mind Matters website. But there are also lots of ways to reach out in Derby and Derbyshire if you need someone to talk to.
Urgent mental health support services
If you, or someone you care for, needs urgent mental health support, there are a range of options available to support you. These are summarised below, or you can find more information on our 'help in a crisis' page. Remember: in a medical emergency or life-threatening situation, please attend your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department or call 999.
Mental Health Crisis Support Drop-In Services
Open Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons in Buxton, Swadlincote and Ripley. These drop-in services, run by Derbyshire Mind in partnership with local community organisations, offer an out-of-hours friendly and welcoming community crisis support space open to anyone over 18 experiencing a mental health crisis or emotional distress. This is an opportunity to get support and help in a relaxed and comfortable environment. All three services are open Fridays and Saturdays 6pm to 11pm, and Sundays 2.30pm to 5.30pm.
- The Buxton service is located at Zink in the Market Street Car Park (top of Clough Street), SK17 6LJ.
- The Ripley service is at The Croft, Slack Lane (just off Ripley Market Place), DE5 3HF.
- The Swadlincote service is at 12-14 West Street (opposite the Empire Cinema), DE11 9DE.
Full details of all three services on the Derbyshire Mind website.
Safe Havens
These centres, in Derby and Chesterfield, are open every evening from 4.30pm to 12.30am and are places where people can get support when they feel overwhelmed or unable to cope.
- Derby’s Safe Haven, run by Richmond Fellowship, is at 309 Burton Road, Derby DE23 6AG. Tel: 0330 008 3722.
- Chesterfield’s Safe Haven, run by the charity P3, is at 188 North Wingfield Road, Grassmoor, Chesterfield, S42 5EJ. It can be contacted through the Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline on 0800 028 0077 or you can self-refer by making a booking on the P3 website.
Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline and Support Service – 0800 028 0077
This free helpline is staffed by NHS professionals from Derbyshire Healthcare and advisers from the charity P3. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for residents of Derby and Derbyshire of all ages, adults and children alike. In time for Christmas, there is now a new option for Deaf people and those with a hearing impairment to contact the helpline via the SignVideo app. Learn more at www.derbyshirehelpline.com
The helpline works closely with the Safe Havens and also Derbyshire’s Crisis Houses, which offer short-term residential accommodation to people with urgent mental health needs, to support their wellbeing.
Useful websites
These websites have lots of information about other support services and community groups in the local area:
- Derby and Derbyshire emotional health and wellbeing website
- Hub of Hope website - this website also has information about support available nationwide, useful for those travelling over the festive period.
Help with drug or alcohol issues
If you are worried about your alcohol or drug use, there are two NHS-led organisations that can help you:
- Derbyshire Recovery Partnership (county service) – call 01246 206514 or visit www.derbyshirerecoverypartnership.co.uk
- Derby Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service (city service) – call 0300 7900265 or visit www.derbydrugandalcohol.nhs.uk
For useful advice on managing your drinking over the festive period, visit the Drinkwise Derby website: www.drinkwisederby.org.uk
Help with problem gambling
Non-judgemental support is available if you are struggling with your gambling or worried about a friend or family member. The East Midlands Gambling Harms Service helps people from all over the region, including Derby and Derbyshire.
Visit www.eastmidlandsgambling.nhs.uk to find out more or call 0300 013 2330.
Support for people with ADHD
There are currently national supply issues affecting medications for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), caused by a combination of manufacturing issues and an increase in global demand. Clearly this is making it a challenging time for people with ADHD and their carers.
Families can now get support from the community neurodiversity drop-in hubs that have launched in Derby, Buxton, Swadlincote, Chesterfield and Ripley. With no formal referral needed, the hubs will offer drop-in advice, and one-to-one sessions via an appointment, to children, young people up to the age of 25, their families and carers. Find information about the hubs on the Derby and Derbyshire emotional health and wellbeing website or on the Joined Up Care Derbyshire website.
There are coping strategies that may help people who are without medicines or reducing the amount they take. Things such as effective communication, increased physical activity, and supporting an organised approach to daily living can all help cope with ADHD. Other support measures include getting good sleep, eating a balanced diet, exercise, and psychoeducation. More advice, and a range of local and national resources, can be found on our 'shortage of ADHD medication' page.
New year, new you: physical health checks
Do you, or does someone you care for, have a serious mental illness like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, a psychotic disorder or severe depression? Or a learning disability? Did you know you can request an annual physical health check with your GP? The annual health check will provide the information you need to improve your physical health, and in turn may improve your overall health and wellbeing.
For more information, speak to your GP or a member of your care team. Or visit the following pages on our website:
