Unwrapping the Holidays

Navigating Mental Health Amidst Festive Pressures

With the upcoming festive season, it can be really tough not only monetarily but mentally too. There’s so much pressure to buy the latest shiny gadget or designer brand seen on social media. To go out and be festive at work meals and parties.

That when Christmas Day is here, we are exhausted physically and mentally.

So with these societal pressures on top of our existing anxieties, depression and fears it can be so overwhelming it pushes us to the edge.

A Mind survey, of 1,100 supporters, found that more than half (52%) have considered harming themselves at Christmas, while nearly half (45%) have considered taking their own life.

This is scary reading. So what do we do?

Some of us are lucky to have family and friends to release too, others maybe spending Christmas alone and have no-one to talk too.

Thankfully there are many people who give their time, even on Christmas Day to be at the end of a phone call, with the likes of the Samaritans, Mind and Calm offering their help and advice to get people through.

So if you’re struggling please reach out to someone.

Remember ‘You are the gift’

I chose you over a fancy gadget or designer brand. Kindness, Love and Respect are the gifts I want and they don’t cost a thing!