Courtesy graphic

By RANDY CROUCH

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE –The topic of mental health can be an uncomfortable one.

Recently, there have been several high-profile discussions of mental health, such as the one surrounding Simone Biles during the Tokyo Olympics earlier this year. The fact remains that there is still a stigma when it comes to the discussion of sensitive issues like depression, stress, anxiety and suicide, which leads to many people unnecessarily suffering in silence.

It’s no secret that the holiday season can be a rough time for those who suffer with their mental well-being. Stress can get to be overbearing for those who have difficulties keeping up with the financial burden of gift giving or the obligation of organizing family activities and all of the work associated with traveling.

Being alone during the festive period can lead to severe feelings of isolation and depression. The need for social distancing during COVID-19 has compounded this for many people. While many families are getting together again this year after social distancing during this time of year in 2020, this isn’t feasible for everyone due to the risk associated with traveling and concerns about visiting friends or family members with compromised immune systems.

Those aren’t the only reasons why mental health can be a challenge during this time of year either. Over-indulging alcohol and food, increased responsibilities at work, disruptions to routines and sleep patterns and bad weather can all take a toll on physical and mental well-being.

That’s not to say the holidays are actually the root cause of mental health problems. There is a common misconception that the holiday season has a cause-and-effect relationship with depression, anxiety and suicides. The data doesn’t exactly back that up but there is evidence that individuals who already struggle with depression and anxiety can have a more difficult time. A study conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness found that 24% of people who already have a mental health issues say that the holiday season makes their condition “a lot worse” and 40% say it is “somewhat worse” this time of year.

So, what to do if someone you care about is showing the signs of depression or anxiety?

Amy Poirier, Foundation Coordinator at Great Lakes Recovery Center is heavily involved with West End Suicide Prevention, a from the Western part of Marquette County had some ideas of what to do for someone in your life who may be struggling:

≤ Check in regularly – keeping in touch with loved ones this time of year can make a big difference.

≤ Talk to them about your concerns – If you notice someone in your life who is exhibiting signs of depression, don’t be afraid to mention it and be prepared to listen.

≤ Focus on solutions – You can’t be expected to solve every issue but you can do some research and get an idea of what can be helpful to them. Maybe it’s professional help, maybe it’s encouraging them to get more sleep, either way focusing on solutions to the problem at hand. There is a list of tips below which may be helpful to suggest.

≤ Encourage them to seek professional help – This is a big one. Seeking out a professional can be the best way to get someone through a difficult time in the short term but is also the best bet when it comes to ensuring a long-term, sustainable road towards combatting depression and anxiety.

If you find yourself struggling this time of year, the Marquette Department of Health and Human Services offered some tips and ideas to give yourself a fighting chance against anxiety and depression during the holiday season.

≤ Stay active, even if it is doing small things each day.

≤ Eat a balanced diet and get enough sleep.

≤ Keep a schedule and try to get fresh air every day.

≤ Try to find a small pleasure for yourself within each day.

≤ Avoid using too much alcohol and avoid drugs.

≤ Create a buddy system to have someone you can call when you feel down.

≤ Set boundaries on how you want to spend your time in a way that works for you. Be respectful of others who may want things from you, but remember to take care of yourself.

≤ Seek professional help if you need it.

There are quite a few ideas for solutions to mental health challenges but that is by no means an exhaustive list but it’s a start. Everybody is different and faces unique challenges, so what one works for one person might not work for another but acknowledging there is a problem is the first step to finding the right solution.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. They provide confidential guidance, 24/7.

Randy Crouch can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. His email address is rcrouch@miningjournal.net.