Hope for the Holidays

In many cases, people don’t even recognize how the holidays impact their mental health. While the

Holiday Blues are temporary, if you don’t acknowledge what is going on and take action, they can

develop into mental health disorders well after the holidays have passed. There are many factors that

affect your mental health over the holiday season, such as Planning holiday parties, dinners, or get-

togethers. Buying gifts for loved ones. Traveling to and from holiday destinations. Spending too much

money on gifts, food, and travel arrangement, among other things. Spending the holidays alone or away

from your loved ones. Feeling as if you have to throw the perfect party or give the perfect gift. Not being

able to afford gifts for your loved ones. Feeling as though you can’t live up to others’ expectations. The

holidays remind someone of a recently passed family member.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) conducted a survey recently to measure the effect

the holidays had on people’s mental health. Their results discovered: 24% of people living with a mental

illness found that the holidays made their symptoms “a lot worse.” 40% of people living with a mental

illness found that the holidays made their symptoms “somewhat worse.” Roughly 755 respondents

reported that the holidays added to them feeling sad or dissatisfied. 68% felt financially stressed. 66%

felt lonely. 63% experienced too much pressure. 57% felt there were unreal expectations. 55% found

themselves remembering happier times in the past, comparing them with their present. Nearly half

could not be with their loved ones.

This event brings together a panel of experts along with those that have experienced mental stress or illness for an evening of discussion on the importance of Mental Health Awareness during this season.