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Mental health awareness seems to have come to the fore during 2018, and one of the island's most prominent campaigners is Emily Nuttall, who has shared her Christmas message to the Bailiwick with Express.
As a young woman dealing with her own personal challenges including eating disorders and her own mental health, Miss Nuttall has become something of a confidante for others dealing with their own situations. She said anyone who is struggling at Christmas time, needs to speak up, because "it's ok to not be ok."
"People just said they kept silent before they could talk to people, and I think it shouldn't come to that for people, whatever young people, elderly or adults are struggling with, you've got to have someone you can talk to.
Pictured: B-eat is an organisation which can help people with eating disorders.
"A lot of people with mental health, and eating disorders in particular, find Christmas a really stressful time, and I can echo that myself with my ongoing recovery. I know a lot of elderly people are on their own, and just not having anyone at Christmas is really difficult as that can make mental health worse, as it's that isolation and that loneliness, that can be really difficult.
"There's the Samaritans; they're there every day of the year, 24 hours a day through Christmas, and you've got helplines such as B-eat eating disorders, Action for Children, even just pick up the phone to anybody. The Samaritans are really good, and they're non-judgemental, and they're giving up their time to just be there for you at Christmas.
Pictured: The Samaritans are always there, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
"Through volunteering with Guernsey Mind, and campaigning myself and working with them, I know we're always there and we're always getting people prepared for Christmas so I think it's really important we get the message out there, that if you are struggling, reach out for help, so that when Christmas comes you've got a plan in place for support and you've got things you can turn to so if you are in a crisis or if you are struggling, you've got things to help you.
Pictured: Emily Nuttall volunteers with Guernsey Mind.
"For myself, it's actually quite a challenging one (Christmas) as I'm going to see family I've not seen in a long time and I think for me that is really important, to try and reconnect with people and just give that a try and as much as it's stressful and it's overwhelming, I've reached out for support from Mind and B-eat eating disorders and other charities before going so I'm putting a plan in place before I go, so that's really helped me to get there for Christmas and to just take it one day at a time.
"I think the goal for everyone is to get out there to people that it's ok to not be ok. That's a phrase I use a lot, but in today's society people have got this pressure where they've got to show they're fine to everybody, that they're happy and life's great, and while people might think that for themselves, it's not like that for everybody, so it's really important you're honest with yourself if something isn't ok, don't let it build up inside because that can lead to even bigger problems.
"I think definitely services, doctors and professionals, it's really important that we get people reaching out and people ask for help and don't let it become a problem.
Pictured: Action for Children can help young people in Guernsey.
"Christmas is just a few days, it's just important to remember what you've got and who you've got. Some people sadly don't have people around them so I think it's just reminding yourself what helps you and what you can do to help you to get there, and people who suffer with eating disorders and depression and mental health, just prepare yourself and there are helplines you can reach out to, and just be open and honest with people.
"It's really important that whilst you try and enjoy Christmas as much as possible, you have that time for yourself and take that self care, you have your own space you can go to to unwind and destress and not worry too much.
"Don't put the pressure on yourself to have that perfect Christmas, because it's ok to not enjoy Christmas. It's important you look after yourself and ask for help if you need it."
Pictured top: Emiiy Nuttall.
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