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Christmas can be a happy and joyous time, but it can also be an incredibly sad, lonely and difficult time for many of us,.it could be your first Christmas, your third Christmas, your tenth Christmas without someone close to you.
Christmas can be a daunting time for many, especially to those of us who are prone to depression. It’s known as 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year' but for many, myself included, it’s filled with anxiety and depression.
It's not uncommon for mental illnesses to be exacerbated at this time of year.Christmas can intensify feelings of grief and sadness.During a difficult cost of living crisis, difficult times globally, and anger and dismay at politics, it might feel especially difficult to resist getting lost in our own thoughts and ending up feeling disempowered and unmotivated.
Many experiencing feelings of isolation, financial pressures or increased family conflict that make the season a very stressful time of year For people without a significant other, who don’t have family or who live far from family, the holidays can be especially tough. While longing for company, lonely people may isolate even more, leaving them feeling even worse. At same time this Christmas the scale of injustice and inequality in world is clearly in plain sight,
Lots of us will not be full of Christmas cheer, some of us near the edge of black holes and will not be counting our blessings. instead feeling rather anxious and trying to find ways to cope..In light of all this. try and look after your mental health over Christmas and if you are feeling anxious or hopeless try not to forget that there are lots of helplines and chat services to support your mental health over the festive season if you need it..
If there’s one thing you should always keep in mind: it’s OK not to be OK. Mental health struggles impact each and every one of us in different ways. If you're feeling down at Christmas, don’t feel you need to put on a brave face for those around you, or join in with the festive cheer just for the sake of it. Be honest about how you're feeling, and reach out to someone if you need to. That could be a friend, family member, or a professional counsellor. It’s much better to embrace how you feel rather than ignore it or pretend you’re OK.
I acknowledge too that NHS mental health services are under increasing “unsustainable pressure” as demand far outstrips the capacity of overstretched services to provide adequate care, with Health service leaders from the mental health sector calling on the government to “do more” to alleviate “skyrocketing pressure” on mental health services.
The importance of looking after your wellbeing doesn't stop at Christmas though either. in the longer term. It's crucial that we come together as people who want a livable future to support the values we hold dear and invest in the change we want to see in the world. that prioritizes people, planet and peace! Lets continue to fill the hearts of humankind with the desire to ensure justice for all..
Please share this for everyone who might be struggling this December. Try and be kind to yourself. . Don't hesitate to reach out to anywhere that can provide a listening ear and a safe space for you to express your emotions..You are not alone. Please don't suffer in silence.
