Whether you want to understand more about how you're feeling, get information about a mental health condition or find support, our guides can help. If you need help speaking to someone, start with our guide to reaching out for help.
Your feelings are valid and things can get better.
Winter can be tough. The short days, cold weather, and all the pressures of Christmas, Hanukkah, or just the festive season in general can have a huge impact on wellbeing.
But there are ways you can take care of yourself this time of year.
We’ve got lots of practical tips to get you through the winter, and real stories from other young people that can help. To get you started, here are five reminders if you find this time of year difficult.
Whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year, or just the winter holidays, the festive season can be a really tough time. There’s so much pressure to have the “perfect holiday” or to feel happy all the time, and that can make things worse if you’re struggling. You might feel overwhelmed by the expectations to spend money, socialise a lot, or eat and drink more than usual. Plus, the colder, darker months can make it harder to look after yourself.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern, with the symptoms usually being most present during the winter. To combat it, try to get outside during the day – a short walk in the light can really help. If you need to stay indoors, sitting by the window during the day can still make a difference.
With the pressure of holiday gatherings, it can be easy to feel lonely sometimes, even if you’re surrounded by people. When loneliness hits, it can feel hard to make plans, but staying connected with loved ones can help lift your mood. If you can, say yes to social events with people you care about, even if you only stay for a little while. It might also help to let a friend or family member know how you’re feeling before the event, so they can support you while you’re there.
If large social events feel too much, try catching up with friends or family over the phone, or make plans for a walk together instead.
The holiday season can make everything feel more intense, and if you struggle with anxiety, it can be especially overwhelming.
Take a moment to think about what’s best for you during this time of year, and make sure you’re prioritising your own needs. There’s a lot of pressure to join in with festive celebrations, but if you need a break, it’s okay to take time out. Be sure to plan some time for yourself too.
Big occasions like Christmas or Hanukkah can be really tough if you’ve lost someone important to you. These times can remind you of their absence, and it’s completely normal to feel that way.
If things feel too overwhelming, give yourself permission to step away from others for a bit and take time to acknowledge that your loved one isn’t there. We’ve got more advice and support in our guide to grief and loss.
With rising bills and soaring energy prices, this winter might feel even tougher than usual.
If you need practical advice or financial support in the colder months, we have tips and advice in our blog on coping with the cost of living. Or take a look at our guide.
We've teamed up with The Ubele Initiative, Mind and Best Beginnings to create a space for Black young people to find support, care and joy.
The word bayo comes from Yoruba and means “joy has found us”. Bayo is not just somewhere for Black young people to get support, but to draw strength.
Find organisations that work specifically with Black young people, including places where you can get mental health support in your local community.
Young people are already doing so much to change the world for the better. You’re already organising, spreading joy, demanding change and sharing your mental health experiences - we want to make these stories impossible to ignore. And through our work with young people, you continue to teach us every day how to keep pushing for the society we all need.
Find out more below about how you can be part of the movement.
Shout Textline offers you free, 24/7 text messaging support, wherever you are in the UK. Text SHOUT to 85258 to start chatting to a trained volunteer.
You can also call Childline to speak to someone about how you’re feeling.
If you are at immediate risk or harm, please call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Our urgent help page has more information on who can support you in a crisis.
We all have mental health, just like we all have physical health. It’s about how we think, feel and act. Sometimes we feel well, and sometimes we don’t. When our mental health is good, we feel motivated and able to take on challenges and new experiences. But when our mental health is not so good, we can find it much harder to cope. Find out more about mental health.
We all have good days and bad days, but when negative thoughts and feelings start to affect your daily life and stop you doing the things you enjoy, or your ability to feel okay, this means you need support with your mental health. For example, nearly everyone gets anxious before an exam, a job interview or a first date. But if you feel anxious all the time and this is stopping you from sleeping well or meeting up with friends, you might need help. Find out more about mental health.
However you’re feeling right now is valid and things can get better – we’re here to help you on that journey. We have lots of advice and tips from other young people who've been there. Use our helpfinder to get advice on how to cope with what you're going through.
We provide young people with tools to look after their mental health. We empower adults to be the best support they can be to the young people in their lives. And we give young people the space to get their voices heard. Find out more about who we are and what we do.
Whether you’re struggling with how you’re feeling, want to know more about a mental health condition or medication, or want to find support, we’re here for you. Use our helpfinder to find advice on how to look after yourself and where and how you can get the support you need.
If you want to tell your story, become an Activist or campaign for a better society for young people, join our movement.
Become part of our community by following us on Instagram or TikTok @YoungMindsUK.
Take a look at our guide to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to find out about how the service works, including information on how you can get help from CAMHS, what happens at an assessment, what your rights are and more. We also have information about other mental health services in our guide to support. We do not provide one-to-one support with CAMHS assessments, treatments or complaints.
Our guide to mental health conditions has lots of information to support you.
Shout offers you free, 24/7 text messaging support wherever you are in the UK. If you need someone to talk to about how you’re feeling, text SHOUT to 85258.
Please note that Shout is a separate and external organisation from YoungMinds.
If you’re at immediate risk or harm, please call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
If you’re having a mental health crisis and need urgent help now, click the button below for who to contact.
