To be 'held' in this case usually means some longer-lasting form of physical comfort, an extended hug to relieve emotional distress or provide comfort. Hugging is usually more short-lived, a form of greeting between people who may not be close at all.
In America, where we have huge personal space, 'to be held' also implies a physical closeness that may not exist with hugging, which is why the phrase 'hold me' is usually only said to very close friends or boyfriends/girlfriends/spouses.