A Silent Struggle: Supporting Young Care Leavers Through the Festive Season

The festive season, often idealised as a time of joy, love, and togetherness, can be a stark contrast for many young care leavers. The absence of family support, financial hardship, and the weight of past experiences can take a significant toll on their mental health and wellbeing.

The Unique Challenges Faced by Young Care Leavers

Young care leavers often find themselves navigating life’s challenges with limited support networks. The festive season, with its emphasis on family and tradition, can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and isolation. Many care leavers may not have the opportunity to spend time with loved ones or participate in traditional family celebrations. This can lead to feelings of sadness, grief, and a sense of being excluded.

Financial constraints can also pose significant challenges for care leavers. The cost of gifts, food, and festive activities can be overwhelming, especially for those on low incomes. This can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety, as well as practical difficulties in affording basic necessities.

The pressure to conform to societal expectations of a perfect Christmas can be particularly daunting for care leavers. Social media feeds filled with images of happy families and lavish celebrations can heighten feelings of inadequacy and exclusion. This can lead to low self-esteem, body image issues, and a sense of not being good enough.

The Impact on Mental Health

The cumulative effect of these challenges can have a profound impact on the mental health of young care leavers. They may experience increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress. They may also struggle with substance misuse, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts.

How to Support Young Care Leavers

If you know a young care leaver, here are some ways you can offer support during the festive season and beyond:

1. Be Understanding and Empathetic:

   • Listen actively to their experiences and feelings without judgment.
   • Validate their emotions and let them know that their feelings are valid.
   • Avoid making comparisons to your own experiences or those of others.

2. Offer Practical Support:

   • Help them with tasks like budgeting, cooking, or finding affordable festive activities.
   • Offer to spend time with them, whether it’s going for a walk, watching a movie, or simply chatting.
   • Consider donating to charities that support care leavers, or volunteer your time to local organisations.

3. Encourage Professional Help:

   • If they are struggling with their mental health, encourage them to seek support from a therapist or counsellor.
   • Many organisations offer specialised services for care leavers, providing counselling, mentoring, and practical advice.

4. Promote Positive Coping Mechanisms:

   • Encourage them to engage in activities that they enjoy, such as hobbies, exercise, or creative pursuits.
   • Teach them relaxation techniques like mindfulness and deep breathing.
   • Help them develop healthy coping strategies to manage stress and anxiety.

How Young Care Leavers Can Seek Help

If you’re a young care leaver struggling with your mental health or wellbeing, here are some steps you can take:

1. Reach Out to Your Personal Advisor / Support Worker:

   • Your personal advisor / support worker can provide guidance, support, and connect you with relevant services.

2. Contact a Mental Health Charity:

   • Organisations like Mind, Samaritans, and Young Minds offer confidential support and advice.

3. Use Online Resources:

   • Websites and apps like NHS Every Mind Matter and Calm can provide self-help tools and techniques.

4. Talk to a Friend or Family Member:

   • Sharing your feelings with someone you trust can be a helpful way to cope.

5. Seek Professional Help:

   • Consider talking to a therapist or counsellor to discuss your concerns and develop coping strategies.

Remember, you’re not alone. There are people who care and want to help. By seeking support and practicing self-care, you can navigate the challenges and build a brighter future

If you need urgent help:

• Adult Social Care – contact Health and Social Care Connect to report abuse or neglect, for help with care and support, or urgent help as a carer. Phone: 0345 60 80 191, 8am to 8pm 7 days a week including Bank Holidays. Outside of its normal office hours, the Emergency Duty Service (on the same number) will respond to serious Adult Social Care issues that cannot wait until the next day
• Children’s services – call the Children and Families team on 0345 608 0192 (10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday). Out of hours, call the Emergency Duty Service on 01273 335906 or 01273 335905 out of hours from 5pm to 8.30am (after 4.30pm on Fridays) and during the weekends and Bank Holidays if you have a serious concern about a child’s welfare that cannot wait until the following working day
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline – contact the 24-hour helpline on: 0808 2000 247
• Samaritans is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need a response immediately, call their free number from any phone: 116 123
• The Leeds Mental Healthline: Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option to be connected to a 24/7 mental health crisis line.
• Childline – If you’re a young carer or a young adult carer and need support outside of office hours, call Childline on: 0800 1111
• Emergency medical help – In any serious or life threatening emergency, call 999 or visit your local hospital’s A&E department. Please check with the hospital for any Coronavirus guidance.
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• Online forums for young and young adult carers

  The Mix  Young and young adult carers (aged 13-25) can access online support on The Mix’s online community. The Mix helps young people get to grips with any challenge they face – including mental health, money, homelessness, finding and many other topics

  YACbook is an online community and resource centre for young adult carers across the UK. Developed by Carer Support Wiltshire, YACbook has up-to-date information on a range of subjects aimed at young adult carers such as mental health, education and work, and has regular blog posts and video interviews from young adult carers. You can also get involved and submit your own stories to the blog.

  For your own online safety, before using any online forum, make sure you check out the advice on the forum on how to use it safely including community guidelines, controlling your privacy and looking after your safety.