Christmas is an exciting time of year for many, but for some of us it can come with stress and isolation, which can have a negative impact on our mental health.

If you need urgent mental health support over the festive period, we have services that can help. This includes our Mental Health Crisis Helpline that is open 24 hours every day, along with in-person and virtual support from our Safe Havens across Surrey and North East Hampshire which are open every evening including weekends.

Safe Havens provide a safe space for people experiencing a mental health crisis or emotional distress, and are provided in partnership with third sector specialists. You will receive support from a mental health practitioner in a relaxed, non-clinical environment. There are five Safe Havens across Surrey and North East Hampshire, and you can visit them in person or via video calls from the comfort of your own home. More details about all our crisis services including support for children and young people and their families are provided below:

Where to get urgent and out of hours mental health and crisis support in Surrey and north east Hampshire

Adults

Safe Havens

There are five Safe Havens open in town centre locations across Surrey and north east Hampshire. They provide a safe alternative to A&E for people experiencing a mental health crisis or emotional distress.

  • Safe Havens in Aldershot, Redhill, Epsom, Woking, and Guildford are open 6-11pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
  • See www.sabp.nhs.uk/safehaven for addresses

Virtual Safe Havens

  • Support from the Safe Havens via video call
  • Open 6-11pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
  • You’ll speak with the same trusted team of nurses and mental health workers who support people in person

Mental Health Crisis Helpline: 0800 915 4644

The Mental Health Crisis Helpline is a freephone telephone service that supports people experiencing a mental health crisis or emotional distress who live in Surrey and north east Hampshire.

  • Lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day
  • If you have hearing or speech difficulties dial 18001 0800 915 4644 from your Textphone or smartphone app. You can also contact us by SMS text: 07717 989024

 

Children and young people

24/7 Mental Health Crisis Helpline for children and young people: 0800 915 4644

If a child or young person is in crisis, they can call our Mental Health Crisis Helpline for free on 0800 915 4644. The helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will be open, as usual, over the Christmas period.

Children and young people who are deaf or hard of hearing can access the Mental Health Crisis Helpline by texting 07860 022 879.

Other support for children and young people

  • Our Neurodevelopmental needs page on the Mindworks website has lots of helpful strategies and interventions to support Neurodevelopmental needs such as ADHD and Autism
  • Our out-of-hours advice line for parents and carers provides advice to parents and carers who are struggling with behaviours or difficulties in young people, which could be related to neurodevelopmental need. It is open from 5 pm -11 pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year and can be reached on: 0300 222 5755
  • There are Children and Young People Havens set up across the county, run by the Surrey County Council with support from the Surrey Wellbeing Partnership; these are a safe space for children and young people aged 10-18 to talk about worries and mental health in a confidential, friendly and supportive environment. Please check their website for opening times across the Christmas period.
  • If you want a group that is accessible and provides instant support there is also an online well-being community, Kooth which is available to all young people and can help assist children and young people through hard times.

 

You can also call your GP for an urgent appointment, or in a physical emergency always call 999.

Return to News