For Anyone Who's Depressed This Holiday Season

To quote a popular song of the season: "It's the most wonderful time of the year!" While this sentiment may be true for many of us, it is not necessarily the shared sentiment of everyone.

As the end of the year marks a time for celebrations, holidays, and traditions that bring together families and spark feelings of joy, there are those whose memories and sentiments of this time of the year are quite different than customarily expected.

Some suffer from mental illness or whose memories of the holiday season are not of pleasant times. Unfortunately, many of us forget that not everyone perceives this time of the year in the same way that we do.

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I'm not writing this to chastise anyone or to bring down the mood of the season. What I am saying is that we need to be mindful of those around us who may be suffering while we celebrate.

Many of us feel the burden of unreasonable expectations for perfection this time of the year. While we still have our day-to-day tasks to perform, we must also decorate, purchase gifts, and attend social functions.

These expectations can cause stress and anxiety, even in those who enjoy this time of the year. Imagine the stress and anxiety felt by those who are simply trying to cope with life let alone the added expectation of the season.

What can we do to help those with holiday depression? 

Here are 6 tips for helping those suffering from holiday depression:

1. Be aware

Create an awareness within yourself and teach your children to understand that not everyone feels joyous this time of the year. This awareness is not meant to place a burden on ourselves, but rather as a recognition of the reality of others.

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2. Allow openness

Create an environment where people feel open to honestly share their feelings.

At parties or gatherings, encourage everyone to participate, while being respectful of those who are having a difficult time participating. Try to plan activities that would allow for a person to participate to the degree in which they feel comfortable.

3. Be flexible in your expectations of them

Be mindful that your expectations as to what constitutes a traditional celebration may not be the same expectations of others. Allow yourself the flexibility to be open to the traditions of others and to how others may be feeling.

For example, if you're organizing the family dinner, take into account any family members who have had a difficult year. Allow them the space or time to speak if they wish. Be aware that them showing up may have been a difficult task in and of itself.

4. Be supportive

If you know of someone who does suffer from a mental illness or is finding this time of the year to be emotionally difficult, be a supportive friend.

Allow yourself to be present to them even if words aren't spoken. Encourage them to join you at small gatherings and surround them with people who have their best interests at heart.

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5. Tell them: It's okay to be selfish

Be supportive of those whom you know are suffering this time of the year by encouraging them to be selfish.

This is selfish in the sense that they need to do things to take care of themselves, regardless of the expectations placed upon them. It doesn't make you a bad person to prioritize yourself, it is actually essential to your well-being to do so.

6. Be a good listener

Take time from the busyness of this season to be an effective listener to those who need to share their feelings. Encouraging and allowing those who are suffering to share how they feel can be the most helpful thing you can do for them.

Silence is not good for someone who is suffering emotionally this time of the year, even if they feel they shouldn't speak. Lovingly encourage them to share by letting them know that you will listen without judgment regardless of what they share.

During this holiday season, as we join together with our families and friends, let us be grateful and joyous in our traditions and fellowship.

But let us not forget those who are emotionally suffering at this time of the year. Being respectful, understanding, and lovingly present is the best holiday gift a person can receive.

If you or somebody that you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, there is a way to get help. Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or text "HELLO" to 741741 to be connected with the Crisis Text Line.

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Christopher Shea, MA, CRAT, CAC-AD, LCC, is the founder and a life coach and counselor at Lifesjourney Life Coaching, LLC. He has been featured in the New York Times, BBC Worldwide, The Take Away, Spirit of Recovery, and more.