The festive season can be a challenging time, leaving many of us feeling anxious, stressed, or lonely.
Whether you’re celebrating or not, spending time with loved ones, or on your own, help is available throughout the festive period. If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. The holidays are just a few days, and then you can start looking ahead to steps that could make 2025 feel brighter.
Whatever you’re feeling this Christmas, support is available. Below, you’ll find information about 24/7 helplines, crisis services in Leeds, and other key numbers to call.
You can also download and print this information to display at home or share in your community.
Support helplines – always open (24/7)
Connect – Leeds-based helpline providing emotional support and information. Open 6pm to 2am every night. Tel 0808 800 1212 or chat online through the website.
Deaf Connect – runs every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 7pm to 11pm, text or Facetime with BSL-trained staff. Call or text 07984 396 001.
NHS 111 – if you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. The phone will be answered by a call handler with mental health training who will be able to listen to your concerns and help you get the support you need.
Samaritans – whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. From relationships to money, health or family troubles, you can talk about whatever is getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal to call. Call 116 123.
West Yorkshire 24 hour mental health helpline – provides confidential support, advice and information for anyone over 18 who is concerned about their mental health, or is worried about a family member or someone they care for. Call freephone 0800 183 0558.
Crisis services
If you’re at risk of taking your life, call 999 and ask for an ambulance or go to A&E.
Dial House offers sanctuary to people in crisis and emotional distress. It’s open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 6pm to 2am, providing face-to-face or phone support. Ring 0113 260 9328 or text 07922 249 452. BSL users can text to ask an interpreter to be available.
Dial House @ Touchstone is offering face-to-face support to people from diverse communities. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6pm to 11pm and Mondays for social time only. Call 0113 249 4675 or text 07763 581 853.
Here For You – (formerly Well-Bean Café) offers emotional and practical support to people in crisis, every night from 6pm to 12am. Call or text first on 07760 173 476.
NHS 111 – if you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. The phone will be answered by a call handler with mental health training who will be able to listen to your concerns and help you get the support you need.
Other key helplines
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) offers support and advice for your alcohol use or someone else’s. Open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call 0113 245 4567 (Leeds Helpline – local rates) or the freephone national helpline on 0800 9177 650.
Beat Eating Disorders helpline for people of all ages, offering support and information about eating disorders no matter where you are in your journey. Call the helpline for England on 0808 801 0677, available from 3pm to 8pm, Monday to Friday, even over Christmas and New Year. They also have an online web chat.
Carers Leeds Helpline for information or advice about your caring situation or someone to talk to. Call 0113 380 4300. Regular opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, with an early close on 24 and 31 December. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Carers UK telephone helpline providing information and guidance to unpaid carers will continue to be available throughout the festive period, and will be open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm (including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day). The number is 0808 808 7777 and is free to call from landlines and mobiles.
Frank offers friendly, confidential advice if you’re worried about your drug use or someone you know. Call 0300 123 6600 (local rates). Open 24/7, every day.
Leeds Domestic Violence Service is there if you want help, advice, or to refer yourself, call 0113 246 0401, open 24/7, every day of the year.
National Gambling Helpline provides advice and support to people affected by gambling-related harm, whether their own or someone else’s. Open 24/7. Call 0808 8020 133 or live chat through the website.
The Silver Line is a free helpline, open 24/7, for older people offering friendship and advice. Call 0800 470 80 90.
West Yorkshire and Harrogate Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub
The Hub services are free to everyone who works in health, social care and voluntary and community service organisations in West Yorkshire and Harrogate. Call freephone number 0800 183 1488 to access the message-taking phone service. You can request a wellbeing check-in call, get signposting to self-help resources, ask for information about accessing group support (including critical incident support for people and teams), or get a referral to one-to-one therapy for you or your colleagues.
Wellbeing support for children and young people
For mental health information for children and young people go to MindMate, the mental health website for children and young people in Leeds. You can find self-help resources, information about local services and tools.