Mental health support
The festive period isn't always festive for everyone. It can be a difficult time for some.
Whatever the issue and whatever is going on, it's #OK2ASK for help.
Urgent support: if you are having thoughts of suicide, are harming yourself or have thoughts about self-harm, it's important to tell someone. These thoughts and feelings can be complex, frightening, and confusing, but you do not have to struggle alone. You can speak to your GP. If you cannot wait to see a doctor and feel unable to cope or keep yourself safe, contact NHS 111 and select the option 'mental health'.
You can also contact any of the services listed below.
NHS 111 24/7 freephone - 111 For all ages - children, young people, and adults. If you need urgent mental health support, please call the free 24/7 helpline. | Amparo 0330 088 9255 Amparo provides emotional and practical support for anyone who has felt the impact of suicide. |
Samaritans 116 123 Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We're here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Talk to someone 24/7 | Ok to Ask Suicide Prevention Campaign Lifelines, resources, and help. The campaign encourages St Helens residents to NOT be afraid to talk about Suicide |
PAPYRUS/HOPELINEUK For children and young people (under the age of 35) | SANEline 0300 304 700 4pm-10pm everyday . |
Shout A free and confidential messaging support | Talking Therapies |
Stay Alive App An essential suicide prevention resource for the UK, packed | Live Well Directory https://www.thelivewelldirectory.com/ |
| Service | Description and Contact Details | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|
| St Helens Wellbeing Service | We deliver a range of training and campaigns to promote knowledge and awareness of mental health, offering ways to improve mental wellbeing, and reducing stigma by encouraging discussions. 01744 371111 Infant Feeding Service: |
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| KOOTH/QWELL | Free instant access digital mental health support is available across St Helens for everyone aged 11+. These services provide free, safe and anonymous online mental health support whenever you need it. There are no waiting lists for support and no referral needed. Access to these platforms is available instantly 24/7. Kooth and Qwell platforms are available as below. Go to Kooth.com (11-25) or Qwell.io (18+) to get started today. Support available includes: - Live chat or messaging with qualified mental health professionals - Self help tools and activities - Online community For enquiries about the service, get in touch via contact@kooth.com
| Kooth and Qwell platforms are available 24/7. Live chat hours:
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| Creative Alternatives | Creative Alternatives (CA) is the Arts and Wellbeing Service for adult residents of St Helens who are experiencing mild to moderate anxiety, depression &/or stress. CA offer free weekly creative sessions as a complimentary or alternative remedy that can help to improve your mental wellbeing, confidence, and social connections. All sessions currently take place in St Helens Town Hall. For further information and details of how to refer please contact: Helen Holden, Programme Manager or visit www.creativealternatives.org.uk | CA regular group sessions will close on Friday 19th December and reopen on Monday 5h January.
The next intake for our weekly groups will commence from Thursday 8th and Friday 9th January, and there are still a few places available in each group. Taster sessions are taking place at St Helens Town Hall during December, so for anyone interested in taking part, please get in touch with your contact details and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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SOBs (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide) | We are the only UK-based organisation offering peer-led support to adults impacted by suicide loss. We help individuals support each other, at the time of their loss and in the months and years that follow. We aim to provide safe, confidential environments where people can share their experiences and feelings, giving and gaining support from each other. | St Helens SoBS Group will be on as usual on 11th December. St Helens SoBs will close on 24th December at 1pm time through to 9am 2nd January. 0300 111 5065 - Helpline Closed on Christmas Day, Boxing day and New Years Day.
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| Amparo & Listening ear | Emotional & practical support following a suicide, from day one. Counselling services.
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| Hope House | Hope House is a drop-in service which also is providing Christmas holiday provision. It provides a basic needs and personal care service for local homeless and those at risk of homelessness and offers advice, advocacy, and support to support those in need. Contact Number: 01744 20032 E-Mail Address: Julie.hand@hopecentre.org.uk Location: 41-43 Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1ED |
The Hope Centre will close on Wednesday 24 December 2025 and re-open on Friday 2 January 2026 at 9am. Baby Basics will close on Monday 22 December 2025 and will reopen on Monday 5 January 2026. Hope Pantry will close on Tuesday 23 December 2025 and will reopen on Tuesday 6 January 2026. The last foodbank available for the Christmas period will be on Wednesday 24 December at St Johns, Earlestown, WA12 9DG 11.30am-1.30pm. Foodbank will reopen on Friday 2 January at St Helens LC, WA10 2DT 11am-2.30pm Restore will close on Tuesday 23 December 2025 and will reopen on Monday 5 January 2026. |
Crisis Café 101 (Hope House, 110 Crab Street, WA10 2DJ) | Crisis Café is situated at Hope House as a drop-in service which also is providing Christmas holiday provision. It provides a basic needs and personal care service for local homeless and those at risk of homelessness and offers advice, advocacy, and support to support those in need. | Monday 22 December 4pm-midnight Tuesday 23 December 4pm-midnight Wednesday 24 December 2pm-8pm Thursday 25 December 2pm-6pm Friday 26 December 2pm-6pm Saturday 27 December 4pm-midnight Sunday 28 December 4pm-midnight Monday 29 December 4pm-midnight Tuesday 30 December 4pm-midnight Wednesday 31 December 4pm-6pm Thursday 1 January 2pm - 6pm |
| PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide | HOPELINE247 is a confidential support and advice service for children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, or anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide. Call: 0800 068 4141 Text: 07860 039 967 Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org | If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for a young person who might be you can contact HOPELINE247 for confidential support and practical advice. Open throughout Festive period. |
St Helens Think wellbeing (NHS Talking therapies Service) | Primary care support for common mental health problems. We will be offering initial assessments and ongoing therapy for clients with common mental health problems. For Crisis support we recommend contacting St Helens crisis numbers. | The service will be closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Business as usual from Thursday 2 January. |
| Child Bereavement UK | Child Bereavement UK's Helpline will be open until 1pm Wednesday 24th December and will reopen between 10am and 4pm, Monday 29th to Wednesday 31st. It will then reopen at 9am on Friday 2 January for the usual open hours of 9am to 4.30pm. If you require support outside of these hours, please visit https://www.childbereavementuk.org/ or visit https://www.childbereavementuk.org/out-of-hours-support | |
| Healthwatch St Helens | Healthwatch is the local watchdog around health & social care services, designed to collect local residents' experiences and represent their views. Contact: 0300 111 0007 |
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| HOME-START ST HELENS | Family Support/School Readiness/Young Persons Mentoring & Sleep Management. Have a chat with a member of our team on 01744 737400to discuss our support services. Do you feel you would benefit from a volunteer's home visiting supporting for you and your family? Volunteers can provide emotional and practical support having life and lived experiences that are matched to your needs. Alternatively, volunteers provide play sessions in your home that encourage your child's development, supporting them to become school ready for life's next chapter. | Closed from Tuesday 23rd December 2025 until Friday 2nd January 2026 |
Change Grow Live (CGL) | Adult substance misuse service providing treatment, interventions and support for individuals effected by substance use. Tel: 01744 410752 Email: sthelens.info@cgl.org.uk Address: CGL, Lincoln House, 80 Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 6LE Website: www.changegrowlive.org/integrated-recovery-service-st-helens/drugs-support | Monday 22nd December 09:00am-5:00pm Tuesday 23rd December 09:00am-5:00pm Wednesday 24th December: 09.00am-3.00pm Thursday 25th December - Closed Friday 26th December - Closed Saturday 27th December: 09.00am-1.00pm Monday 29th December: 09.00am - 5.00pm Tuesday 30th December: 09.00am - 5.00pm Wednesday 31st December: 09.00am-3.00pm Thursday 1st January - Closed Friday 2nd January - 09.00am - 5.00pm |
| YPDAAT | St Helens Young People's Drug and Alcohol Team (YPDAAT), provide young people and their families in St Helens with a range of interventions to help them to make informed choices around drug and alcohol use in order to achieve their full potential. Normal business operating as usual. Telephone 01744 675605 or email ypdaat@sthelens.gov.uk | We will be open Monday to Friday 9-5pm. Christmas Eve - 9am-12pm Closed Bank Holidays 29th -31st December- 9.30-3.00pm Closed 1st Jan Closed 2nd Jan |
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) | Via Journal message or drop in at Job Centre: Gregson House, 2 Central St, St Helens WA10 1UF Phone: 0800 169 0190 | |
| Housing Options (will need to go via Contact Centre) | St Helens Borough Council Contact Centre Phone 01744 676789 |
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| Age UK Mid Mersey | December 24th Enquiries Line 0300 003 1992 is open 9.30am - 1pm
December 25th - 1st January 2026 - Closed
January 2nd - Back open as normal 9.30am - 1pm (Monday - Friday) | |
| Chrysalis Centre | Closes on December 19th 2025 and reopens on 5th Janaury 2026. | |
| Citizens Advice | Closed Friday 20 December. Reopen on Thursday 2 January. Please see the website for support during this time. | |
| St Helens Contact Cares | Open 8am - 10pm throughout Christmas Period for all social Care and Adult Health referrals in St Helens.
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| St Helens Borough Council Contact Centre | Phone 01744 676789 | Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. 23, 24 & 27 December: 10am - 4pm |
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