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ADVICE AND SUPPORT TO HELP YOU LOOK AFTER YOUR MENTAL WELLBEING THIS CHRISTMAS

23 December 2025

During the festive period, many people look forward to spending quality time with family and friends. However, for others, Christmas can be a challenging period where they need to look after their mental wellbeing – for example, due to loneliness, bereavement or because they’re struggling to keep warm during the colder months.

Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care System are encouraging people to take meaningful steps if they’re struggling and seek support if they need it.

For some, feelings of loneliness can intensify over the Christmas period, particularly for people who live alone, are separated from loved ones, or feel isolated for other reasons. Loneliness is linked to both mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety and depression and can even impact physical health conditions too.

People are being encouraged to reach out and connect with others if they’re feeling lonely. Whether that’s reaching out to friends, neighbours or family members, volunteering or checking in with other people in your community, or joining an activity or gathering at your local community group or charity – connecting with others can reduce our sense of loneliness and help improve our mental wellbeing.

Christmas can also be difficult for those who have lost a loved one, either recently or around Christmas time in a previous year. Feelings of grief can be heightened as others are talking about spending time with their loved ones or people are thinking about previous Christmases spent together.

It’s important to acknowledge your feelings and be kind to yourself during this time. If you have someone you trust, consider talking to them about how you’re feeling as this may help. There is also bereavement support available throughout the festive period for anyone who is struggling and needs to talk.

The cold weather we usually get around Christmas can also impact on people’s mental wellbeing. Worrying about heating costs or living in a cold home can increase feelings of stress and anxiety, which may be made worse as the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect more people.

There are some practical steps people can do to minimise the energy needed to keep homes warm, such as only heating the rooms you spend time in and reducing drafts by using or installing draft excluders. However, even with these steps some people may still need additional support, so it’s important to check whether you are eligible for any financial support.

For all of these issues, there is support available across Coventry and Warwickshire.

People are encouraged to visit the pages below and reach out for support if they need it:

Remember, if you need to access mental health support, then there are services to support you, including Wellbeing for Warwickshire and Wellbeing for Coventry. Coventry and Warwickshire Mental Wellbeing Line is also available to support you and is open 24/7 over Christmas and New Year, you can call them on 0800 616171.

For information about a range of local mental health and wellbeing services, including face to face, telephone, online and self-help resources available in Coventry and Warwickshire, please visit: www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk/our-services, www.warwickshire.gov.uk/mentalhealth or www.coventry.gov.uk/mentalhealth. 

If you or someone you know needs more urgent mental health help, call 111 and select the ‘mental health’ option or visit www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk/find-help-now. 

Councillor Anne-Marie Sonko, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health at Warwickshire County Council, said: “Christmas can be a difficult time for many people, but no one should feel they have to face loneliness, grief or worry alone. Please consider taking steps to look after your mental wellbeing and reach out for support if you need it.”

Cllr Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Sport and Public Health at Coventry City Council, said: “If you’re struggling this winter, there is a range of support available to you. Whether you need ideas for how to connect with others, support with bereavement or keeping warm, help is here for you – please use it if you need it.”

Dr Richard Onyon, Chief Medical Officer at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust said: “If you’re finding things overwhelming this Christmas, there are specialist mental health services available to you across Coventry and Warwickshire. Please reach out if you need help, you don’t have to feel alone this Christmas.”


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