PEOPLE living in Bath and North East Somerset who find the sometimes-overwhelming nature of the festive season hard to bear are being reassured that rapid help is available, and it’s only a telephone call away.

For many, the Christmas and New Year period will have been difficult, with feelings of stress, loneliness and grief, as well as many others, becoming harder and harder to ignore.

With this in mind, the local NHS is encouraging any person who finds themselves struggling mentally to reach out for help at the earliest opportunity, as finding support sooner rather than later can usually prevent problems from snowballing.

NHS 111, the telephone-based service that can support people to manage minor illness and injury at home, is able to help with mental health too.

By selecting option two after connecting to the 111 service, callers will be able to hear details of the support options available in their local area and, in some cases, get put through directly to a trained mental health professional.

Mathew Page, chief operating officer, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, said: "Christmas can be really challenging for lots of us, and it is important that we know where to go and what's available if we need help, advice or support.

“In addition to 111, our talking therapy service provides free, confidential support to help manage a range of common mental health problems including anxiety, stress, depression and low mood.”

To access talking therapy, or to find out more information, call 01380 715150 or visit www.awp.nhs.uk/talkingtherapies.

Children under the age of 19 can also receive mental help advice and support over the phone by calling Childline on 0800 1111.

More information on how to maintain good mental health can be found at www.bswtogether.org.uk/yourhealth.