It’s okay to not feel festive. The holidays can be busy, stressful, and overwhelming. Reminding ourselves that it’s not possible to meet everyone’s expectations or for everything to be perfect, making sure our to-do lists are realistic, asking for help, connecting with others, and prioritizing self-care can go a long way in protecting our mental health during the holidays. Take care of yourself this season with these helpful Holiday Tips from NL Health Services.

Your mental and substance use health are important. For extra support during the holidays and into the new year, check out these free mental health and substance use programs:

  • MindWell: A free online program that teaches individuals aged 13+ how to practice mindfulness anywhere, anytime. It provides tools to learn simple and effective ways to decrease stress, minimize burnout, improve focus, and perform and feel your best.
  • Therapy Assistance Online: A free online self-help program for individuals aged 13+, which provides a mental health and substance use library that’s available in French and English.
  • Strongest Families Institute (SFI): An award-winning charity providing skill-based educational programs to children, youth, adults, and families seeking help to improve mental health and well-being. Free to access, SFI provides care to families over the phone, the internet or via app.
  • Tools: There are many other tools related to mental wellness on Bridge the gapp, including libraries for Mindfulness and Relaxation
  • 811 Provincial HealthLine: Telephone support for people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. The 811 phone line is available 24/7 and staffed by registered nurses who are trained crisis interveners and provide health advice for mental health and addictions questions.
  • Provincial Lifewise Warm Line: A non-emergency, non-crisis telephone support and referral service provided by trained peer support workers. Available seven days a week, 10 a.m. to midnight. Call 1-855-753-2560.
  • 988 – Federal Suicide and Crisis Line: Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Crisis Text Line: A 24/7 text line that connects individuals with a trained, volunteer crisis responder. The service is free, confidential, and provided by Kids Help Phone. Youth can text ‘CONNECT’ to 686868 to connect. Adults can text ‘WELLNESS’ to 741741 to connect.
  • Hope for Wellness Helpline: A 24/7 help line open to all Indigenous people across Canada by phone or online chat. Visit https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/ or call 1-855-242-3310.
  • First Responder Warm Line: First responders from all disciplines can reach out to the Warm Line, available 12:00 p.m. to midnight, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call 709-237-4180.
  • Mobile Crisis Response Teams: Community-based crisis intervention services provided by mental health clinicians and trained police officers, located in St. John’s, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook, Stephenville, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Labrador City, available seven days a week. Call 811 HealthLine or 911 to request a mobile visit.
  • 911: 911 is available province-wide in Newfoundland and Labrador. Call Takers located in the province are available 24/7 to connect callers to the local emergency response agencies in your area.
  • Doorways Mental Health Walk-in Clinics: Rapid access to mental health and addictions counselling services, available in 84 locations throughout the province. Most locations offer same-day, walk-in, or phone service with no appointment or referral required. Call 811 or visit the Service Directory to find a location near you.
  • Naloxone Kits: Free naloxone kits are publicly available at more than 150 sites across the province. Residents are encouraged to call 811 or visit this website for information on where to get a free naloxone kit.
  • Recovery Centre: The Recovery Centre is available to anyone 16 years of age and older who is intoxicated or experiencing withdrawal from alcohol or other drugs. People can self-refer by calling 709-752-4980 or toll-free at 1-877-752-4980.
  • The Provincial Opioid Dependence Treatment (ODT) Line: A toll-free line to support individuals, family members and health providers who are seeking information and support regarding opioid use. Available from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. NST, individuals can call toll free at 1-844-752-3588.
  • Gambling Help Line 811: The Gambling Help Line is a free, confidential service available province-wide, 24 hours a day. If you or a family member has a gambling concern, please call for information and support.
  • Breaking Free: A free online self-help program for individuals aged 16+ proven to help people reduce their substance use.