We understand that not seeing or even hearing from your children or a parent or other family member this Christmas is very distressing for YOU. This page has been created to maybe help you find some support in these emotional times. To try to give you some ideas on how to heal and become stronger in YOURSELF for your Children.
To be there for your Children you need to look after yourself and your own physical and mental health. This page is to help you to help YOURSELF.
Things to do for YOU
● Treat yourself to your favourite – music – food – film – book-
● Zoom or Ring a Friend — a Relative or someone on Social Media – have one person already prepared to be your support person when times get tough. It has to be someone that will listen and support you, not give you a lecture on what you should or shouldn’t do!
● Go for a walk, run, cycle, or drive
● Do your favourite hobby, exercise or crafts
TALK · Talk with a co-worker – · Talk with a stranger, and · Talk with a family member
DO Whatever will make you feel good, is good for you
Things to do for OTHERS
Volunteering and helping neighbours is a great way to positise others and your own life – you can do this locally or online – choose an issue you are interested in and contact an organisation that appeals to you that needs support in their work. To find a role or organisation – www.volunteer.ie/
Some positive links
https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandwellbeing/arid-40129952.html
Aoife https://aoifegriffin.ie/blog/stress-relieving-strategies & https://aoifegriffin.ie/blog
Lee – https://www.facebook.com/769camino/
Richard – https://therapyinstitute.ie/podcasts/
Lisa – https://thepositivepsychologist.com/
People YOU can talk to
● Samaratins 24/7 – 116 123 or https://www.samaritans.org/ireland/samaritans-ireland/ or https://www.samaritans.org/ireland/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/self-help/
● CRISIS TEXT LINE 24/7 – Text 50808 to start the conversation (24/7 service)
● Aware – 1800 80 4848 (Mon-Sun 10am-10pm) www.aware.ie
● Pieta House – 1800 247 247 – Text “HELP” to 51444 www.pieta.ie
● GROW – 1890 474474 – https://grow.ie/
● Text about it – 50808 (24/7) https://text50808.ie/
● Women’s Aid – 1800 341 900 (24/7) – www.womensaid.ie
● Men’s Aid – 01 554 3811 (M-F 9am-5pm & SS 10am-2pm)- www.mensaid.ie
● Mens Development Network – 1800 816 588 (M&W 10am-6pm Tu/Th 12-8pm F-Sa-Su 2-6pm) – https://mensnetwork.ie/
● La Dolce Vita Project (NI & NW) -04871-377272 – www.la-dolce-vita-project.com/index.html
● ALONE (Older people) 0818 222 024 (8am-8pm) or www.alone.ie
● Childline (Children) 1800 66 6666 – Free text: 50101 – www.childline.ie/
● Jigsaw – (Youth)1800 544729 (1-5pm Mon-Fri) ‘Text CALL ME’ 086 1803880 www.jigsaw.ie
● Teenline 24/7 – 1800 833 634 info@teenline.ie Website: www.teenline.ie
● Irish Hospice Foundation – (Bereavement) 1800 807077 (Mon-Fri – 10am-1pm)