The impact of Covid-19 this year will again make the festive period especially difficult as some islanders will not be able to celebrate with loved ones.
Mental health doesn’t take time off at Christmas, and with all the added stresses that can come with the festive season it’s very important to care for your wellbeing.
If you, or a loved one, feels that your wellbeing has been affected please remember to look after yourself, talk to other people and, if needed, seek some support. The States of Guernsey has dedicated webpages which include advice and support for those who are alone this Christmas and for those who are struggling.
The Committee for Health & Social Care has introduced a additional temporary service over Christmas and the New Year that will provide some wellbeing support for anyone who is feeling isolated or experiencing moderate levels of stress or distress.
This is not to replace any existing mental health service but is additional for anyone who feels they need additional support but who might not ordinarily either seek it or meet the clinical threshold for more acute support services. Anyone who requires support from the specialist secondary care mental health service should still seek referral through their GP.
The new Guernsey support service over the Christmas period will work as follows:
- An individual experiencing isolation or with concerns relating to their general mental wellbeing, including moderate levels of stress and distress, can attend the Emergency Department where they will be triaged before being passed through to a mental health professional who will be able to spend time listening and offer ways for individuals to find ongoing support.
- This service will be available between the hours of 6pm and 10pm from 20th December up to and including 2nd January 2022. The mental health professional will see individuals in the Oberlands centre.
- To ensure that no one is prevented from attending the Emergency Department to access this service at a time of need, the Committee has agreed that there will be no charge for either the wellbeing support or for being triaged through the Emergency Department for this purpose.
