(Washington) – A survey conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) found that 64 percent of individuals living with a mental illness reported that their conditions worsened around the holidays. Whether due to separation from loved ones, personal grief, the pressures of gift-giving, economic hardship, challenging interactions with family members, or shorter days, this time of year can bring unique behavioral health challenges.
Some strategies to help include: pay attention to your feelings, develop a plan for when you are feeling stressed, sad, or lonely, practice self-care, connect with community, support others, recognize seasonal mood changes, avoid alcohol and drugs, and know when to seek help.
