The holidays are a time of joy for many people, with family gatherings, the spirit of giving and hope for a new year abounding. For others, however, the expectations of the season are overwhelming and can lead to depression, especially for those who feel they cannot live up to the image of the season that is portrayed in movies and advertisements. For anyone who has lost a loved one in the past year, the holidays are also a stark reminder of their absence as families engage in their annual traditions.
Those factors make it an important time to not only embrace the spirit of goodwill toward men, but also to keep an eye on the well-being of friends and family for signs of debilitating depression ”“ not only in the next few weeks, but all year long.
While it’s often heard that the suicide rate increases during the holidays, that’s not actually true, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Suicide is prevalent throughout the year, and is the 10th leading cause of death for Americans, according to statistics from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Anyone can be at risk for taking their own life, when all hope seems lost, and while no one can prevent a person from making such a devastating choice, we can try to help each other by reaching out and being present. Warning signs that a person may be in need of help include comments about hurting themselves or having no reason to live, losing interest in activities, experiencing anxiety or panic attacks and isolating one’s self from others.
Those who have experienced a job loss, illness, death of a loved one or other life-changing struggles often find this season hardest, and friends and family can help them acknowledge the difficulty or loss while also moving forward and finding new hope.
For those who feel inadequate during this time of celebration in particular, it’s important to remember that much of the hype over the holiday season ”“ from the fancy dinners to the expensive gifts and decorations ”“ comes from advertisers looking to make as much money as possible from our desires to have a “perfect” Christmas. Anyone who is feeling down about not having it all during the holidays would do well to remember that, and to focus instead on the deeper meanings of why we celebrate at this time of year. If it’s the birth of Christ you’re celebrating, focus on the joy of that sacred night; if it’s the return of the sun after the darkest days of the year, find hope in the promise of growing light; and if it’s simply a secular winter festivity for you, embrace the childlike joy of it all amidst the winter darkness.
All of us would do well to count all that is good in our lives, and once we start to really think about it, the list becomes overwhelming, to include any variety of attributes: freedoms that many other countries’ citizens do not enjoy; education; employment; health; friendship and love; community; imagination and artistic inspiration. The list is different for all of us depending on our situation, but there are good and beautiful aspects to every life, no matter.
The holidays are the time to reflect on those positives and to embrace hope for the year ahead. Amidst all the hype and hoopla of the holidays, let’s make sure we share that message with anyone who is feeling down.
During the holidays or any time of year, when it seems a person has become too despondent to be reached, professional help is available for them via the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
