Mental Health - For Many The Holidays Can Be Difficult
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The Holidays are a joyous time, Christmas lights shine all over town, stores are filled with holiday decorations and people generally seem to smile more. Social gatherings centering around the spirit of the holidays are held, Christmas Concerts are held and letters to Santa are written. The overall feeling is joy and happiness and togetherness, at least that is the image being presented. The reality is that for many the holiday season is a desperate struggle. This time of year, often forces people from all ages to put on a happy face while feeling tormented inside.
For school age children this can be especially true. At school they may feel the Christmas spirit, laugh and giggle while playing with friends and doing projects with teachers, but at the end of the day, they go home to a very different reality. For others, maybe it’s at work that they can find some Christmas spirit but again, they have to go home. Many are alone and the Holiday season is a damning reminder of that. For some financial instability and sense of not being able to give gifts like those family members they will spend the Holidays with. These are all examples of a mental health crisis that is far more prominent during the holiday season that at any other time of year. Public awareness of Mental Health issues is improving day to day, but there is a long ways to go. Recognizing a friend, co-worker or child dealing with mental illness during the holiday season and reaching out to them may be the best gift you can give.
A study done by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) found that 64% of people living with a mental illness reported that their conditions worsened around the holidays. There are many factors that lead to increased mental health issues during this time of year. A study listed the following as contributing factors: Generalized stress, physical and mental fatigue, pressures of perceived obligations, financial stress, Stressful family gatherings, first holiday season after the passing of someone you love, loneliness and disappointment over not being able to see family and friends.
It can be difficult to spot symptoms of depression this time of year but some things to look out for include: Tiredness or lack of energy, no longer enjoying activities that you previously liked, persistent feelings of guilt, worthlessness or hopelessness, change in personal relationships, change in sleep patterns, change in appetite, or weight loss or gain, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, difficulty working, general irritability. The study also suggests that it is not uncommon for people with no history of Mental Illness to develop symptoms related to a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder.
Fay Friede, K-12 Counselor for Chinook Schools talked about some issues the kids may face, “Holidays can be stressful for students for multiple reasons, some of which include death of a family member, older siblings not coming home for Christmas, or splitting time between parents when there is divorce or separation. Even when parents are able to communicate and get along, some kids worry about missing the other parent as well as worry about the other parent’s feelings.”
Friede mentioned other elements that can lead to a child struggling, “Financial stress affects students as they worry about parents’ stress. Fighting amongst family members or drug and alcohol abuse causes stress during the holidays.” The staff in the schools are educated to deal with these situations, “Teachers understand that any of these stresses could be present with their students. There is less emphasis put on the grand event of Christmas, and more discussion of time spent doing something relaxing, or noticing a favorite part of the break.”
In offering some possible solutions Friede suggests, “Ideas for reducing stress might include sticking to somewhat of a routine for small children, which includes bedtimes and mealtimes. Making time for a family tradition, or creating a new one, like baking cookies together, or driving around looking at Christmas lights together. Something as simple as finding time to play a board game while drinking hot chocolate can end up being an impactful memory for a child.”
It is never easy to definitively identify a person, young or old struggling with mental health. Being involved, asking questions and making those around us feel welcome can certainly help someone in need, plus it’s just a good way to be. Happy Holidays!
