The new year has begun, and the holiday season has come to an end. We hope your holidays were filled with family, friends, and joy. For those who find it joyous, it can also be stressful. In fact, according to a poll by the American Psychological Association, nearly 89% of US adults in the study said that they had concerns such as not having enough money, missing loved ones, and anticipating family conflict cause them stress at this time of year.
And for those with mental health issues, it can be an even darker and lonelier time of heartache and despair. For many, that despair can be magnified by the joyous celebrations of others surrounding them. Loneliness can be a crushing weight to bear on its own, but the very thing that brings light to so many during the holidays can cast even longer shadows into the darkness of those who have no one to share them with.
Why the Holiday Season Can Impact Mental Health
So why does this darkness cling to so many people in the face of all that holiday cheer? Here are a few reasons:
- Loss of a loved one
- Few or no family or friends
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Financial insecurity
- Family strife
- Anniversary of a tragedy
- Depression
These issues and many others can exacerbate an already difficult time for many. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reported that 64% of people with mental illness (including depression) said holidays make their conditions worse. Often referred to as “holiday depression syndrome” or the “holiday blues,” depression and grief can worsen during the holiday season.
Post-Holiday Depression and What You Can Do
It’s not only the November and December months that pose a risk for mental health. Many people experience post-holiday blues. Paul Nestadt, MD, co-director of the Johns Hopkins Anxiety Disorders Clinic and assistant professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, noted that while some people struggle with the holidays themselves — lost loved ones, financial strains, mental health issues — there are also those who enjoyed the feel-good hormones dopamine and serotonin, and the abrupt end of the holidays can be disorienting.
Additionally, in the US, suicide risks increase in January. This may be because those contemplating suicide do not wish to hurt their loved ones and try to hold it together through the holidays. If you know someone who was struggling with depression or other mental health issues during the holidays, it’s especially important to check on them. Depression is a transitory state of mind, not a permanent one. Showing love, acceptance, and concern can do wonders to lift the spirits of those who are hurting.
Related: National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month — Why it Matters
How You Can Help Loved Ones or Yourself
If you suspect that a loved one is suffering from depression during and after the holidays, here’s how you can help:
- Check in and connect with them
- Pay attention to what they are saying
- Offer to engage in stress-relieving activities
- Respect their boundaries and do not ask too much of them
- Encourage them to seek professional help
If you’re personally experiencing severe depression or suicidal thoughts, try the following:
- Start by talking with someone in person — be around those you trust and rely on
- Get out of your home — go to a coffee shop, your favorite store, etc.
- Try exercising — take a yoga class, lift weights, join an aerobics class
- Go outside — take a walk or hike
- Consider volunteering — help at a soup kitchen or local animal shelter
It’s always a good idea to understand suicide — the myths, warning signs, and how you can help someone. If you know someone who is struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, please encourage them to seek help from a trained professional right away. And, at Lake Point Recovery and Wellness, we’re here to help. Call us at 1-833-4HANDUP.
