1 March 2010
With the festive season long gone, but the associated credit card bills landing through the letterbox - combined with long nights and cold weather - the early months of a new year is often a tough time.
However, help is at hand, with the top doctor at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust's urging local people to turn to a new NHS service if the financial stresses and strains are mounting up.
The 'NHS Stressline' is open seven days a week from 8am until 10pm and can help you with issues that are affecting you and your family.
Dr Jonathan Kwan, the Trust's Medical Director said: "There's no doubt in my mind that some local people are under pressure at this time of year.
"Combined with the usual resolutions to get on top of finances, or to tackle debt, this year's snow and ice - part of the harshest winter since 1963 - also created a stressful time for people with 'temp' or flexible work contracts who don't get paid for the days they can't work."
"Any one of these things, or a combination, can have a significant effect on people's health and well-being. But the NHS is here to help: we want to be there to support local residents through the challenging times.
"That's why we are pleased to be able to support the 'NHS Stressline'. Calling free on 0300 123 2000 will put you in touch with trained health staff who can offer practical advice about health and self-care to people affected by emotional stress, as well as point them towards appropriate help to deal with other issues, such as underlying debt, redundancy or housing problems."
