SCOTLAND’s political leaders have urged Scots to take care of their mental health this Christmas, with warnings about depression and loneliness.
Nicola Sturgeon, Jackson Carlaw and Richard Leonard all called for those who were able to help out those who may be struggling.
Meanwhile, the Queen is to use her annual broadcast to ask her subjects, who are bitterly divided over Brexit, to be more “civil” to one another.
In her message, released today, the First Minister paid tribute and thanked “workers in our armed forces, in our emergency services, and the health service and other crucial services” who weren’t getting a Christmas holiday this year.
“I want to thank all of you for your hard work – it is highly valued at all times, but especially appreciated just now.”
The SNP leader added: “And of course for some people, Christmas can be a time of anxiety or unhappiness. Because of that, the Scottish Government is encouraging everyone to take care of each other this Christmas.
Remember, first of all, to take care of yourself. If you’re unhappy, be open about that. It is OK not to be OK at Christmas.
“Take care of your community. If you’re able to, give a helping hand to people who need it, or join in a local activity. And finally, take care of the people you love. Look after them, and enjoy being able to spend some time with them.
“If as many of us as possible can do some or all of these things, we can help make Christmas a truly special time of year – not just for ourselves, but for everyone.”
Carlaw, the Tory interim leader, called on Scots to look “out for those who are on their own and to donate what we can to support those who will appreciate the difference it can make.”
He also paid tribute to those working on Christmas day, and suggested the country, “divided” by Brexit, could learn from NHS staff. He said: “Once again this Christmas, doctors, nurses, porters, cooks, cleaners and volunteers will be at work looking after those of us who are unfortunate enough to be kept in over the festive period.
“As a country, we may have felt divided for much of 2018 – it is the collective effort of our NHS staff, working together, who have shown us the country at its best.”
READ MORE: Tory government slammed for increase in homeless deaths
In his message, Leonard called for change. “For many people, Christmas is a time to get together with family and friends. But not everybody can,” he said.
“So it’s also a time to remember that we need to do so much more as a society to help those in need.
“When one in four children in Scotland are living in poverty, when foodbanks are handing out more parcels than ever before, and when thousands of families are facing Christmas without a home to call their own, something needs to change.”
In her annual Christmas day broadcast, the Queen will say the Christian message of “peace on earth and goodwill to all” is needed “as much as ever”.
“I believe his message of peace on earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. It can be heeded by everyone; it’s needed as much as ever.”
The Queen will add: “Even with the most deeply-held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding.”
Although the Queen remains publicly neutral, some will interpret her words as a veiled reference to the toxic mood of the public debate around the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
Jeremy Corbyn, meanwhile, will pay tribute to those who emulate the biblical Good Samaritan in his Christmas message.
In a video that will be published on social media today, the Labour leader will draw on the parable from St Luke’s gospel to praise those who help the nation’s destitute, saying they are people who will not “walk by on the other side”.
His emphasis on those who help homeless people and refugees comes after charity Crisis published a study yesterday showing homelessness has reached a record high, with more than 170,000 families and individuals experiencing destitution.
READ MORE: One homeless mother's story: 'This is more like a prison than a place to stay'
Theresa May hailed the work of the armed forces from Salisbury to Syria in her Christmas message.
The Prime Minister said UK forces had “continued to demonstrate why you are the finest in the world”.
“From playing a vital role in cleaning up after a sickening nerve agent attack on the streets of Salisbury, protecting our waters and our skies from Russian intrusion and strengthening our allies in Eastern Europe, striking at terrorism as part of the Global Coalition against Daesh, and along with our US and French allies – sending a message to the Assad regime that we will not stand by while chemical weapons are used, as they were in April on families, including young children,” she said.
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