Sponsored Editorial: Produced in association with Kent County Council

Christmas can be difficult for some, even in a ‘normal’ year, but Kent residents are being reminded this festive period of the mental wellbeing support across the county that can help them.

“We know that this year has created new challenges and covid has had an impact on people’s lives in lots of different ways - anxieties and worries about jobs, relationships, family and home life, and concerns about the future - this time of year can be difficult enough for some anyway and we all still have uncertainties about what the New Year might bring,” explains Jess Mookherjee, Kent County Council Public Health Consultant.

She adds: “People have been through tough times before and the information in this website will help us get through this too.

"There is help available from a number of different places and in a huge range of ways – go to www.kent.gov.uk/wellbeing now to see the support that could be important to you and your family over these next few weeks.”

Health partners and providers alongside local authorities and the voluntary sector from across Kent and Medway have pulled together information on local support services; from online help such as the NHS Every Mind Matters personal plan and mental wellbeing audio guides, tips on working from home and mental wellbeing advice while staying at home such as self-isolating.

There’s also signposting to community mental wellbeing support such as Live Well Kent (run by charities Porchlight and Shaw Trust), Kent Community NHS Foundation Trust services and you can refer yourself to a free NHS talking therapies service.

For those who need to urgently talk to someone, the Release the Pressure text service and 24/7 helpline is also detailed at www.kent.gov.uk/wellbeing along with information from Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust.

“We need to remember that this year might also feel very different for children and young people; we need to be honest with them but also be sensitive not to worry them too much and be aware that children and young people of different ages may need different support,” explains Jess Mookherjee.

“There is lots of information and advice available at www.kent.gov.uk/wellbeingfamilies to help with being at home, talking to your family about coronavirus, dealing with children and young people’s worries and help to look after yourself too.”

Advice at www.kent.gov.uk/wellbeing includes information on the Kent Resilience Hub for parents and carers, and the Moodspark website - aimed at 10 to 16-year-olds to learn to look after their emotional and mental health. Kooth is also available for young people to get advice and chat to a qualified counsellor.

The Young Minds website and the NSPCC guides on working from home with children, dealing with co-parenting and family arguments and tensions.

If you are worried about your child and need to get help now call 0800 783 9111 to get the right support.

For Release the Pressure, text ‘Kent’ to 85258 or phone 0800 107 0160 for free confidential support at any time from trained counsellors.