There are mental health resources for people facing feelings of loneliness that can increase with the added stressors present during the holiday season.
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Feelings of loneliness and depression during the holiday season can be attributed to the memories of an individual’s past negative experiences surrounding the holidays, being put back into the forefront of their thoughts.
“When people go through the holidays it brings that history of not having such great experiences or memories so they see often times people celebrating and they might not have had that experience,” said Larry Schallert, assistant director of the Student Health & Wellness Center at COC. “They may have experienced families that had troubles during the season, such as alcohol, or a death.”
There are many resources for people suffering through depression nationally and specifically in the Santa Clarita Valley.
“The number one thing is that they can always call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline if they are feeling depressed.They can also text the Crisis Text Line where they can type help or I need to talk to someone, and they can always get someone to talk to,” explained Schallert. “In Santa Clarita they can call the Child and Family Center or the other they could call is the Santa Clarita Mental Health Center.”
Schallert further explained that small things such as listening to cheerful Christmas music and exercising with friends can get someone out of their persistent perceived solitude and raise their spirits.
See Related: The Way Out Recovery SCV Addresses Grieving Families During The Holidays
It is a common held belief that there is a jump in the number of suicides during the holiday season, but according to Schallert this belief is false.
“The research indicates that people do get lonely and depressed this time of year but there aren’t more suicides, they are just more noticeable because it’s such a happy time,” he said.
While acknowledging the fact that the holidays are a busy time, Schallert notes it is important to manage your time carefully to include family time.
“Be really careful to how you allocate our time because it can be overwhelming to try to do it all during the holiday season,” explained Schallert. “The most important thing is to spend time with family.”
If your friends or family members are expressing feelings of depression or self-harm it is important to legitimize their feelings rather than brushing them off, according to Kim Goldman, executive director of The Youth Project, a nonprofit organization which provides free counseling, support groups, crisis intervention and education to teenagers.
“Some people say to kids ‘you’ll be fine’ and ignore there cries for help,” said Goldman “Make sure they feel validated, that they are being heard. Let them know there are resources available”
Anyone seeking information about mental health resources available in the Santa Clarita Valley can click here for a list of resources. There are 24-hour phone numbers available. In the event of an emergency, 911 should always be the first call. Those looking to speak with someone can call:
- 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- 1-800-854-7771 for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
- 1-800-784-2433 for the Treatment Advocacy Center
- 661-259-9439 for the SCV Child & Family Center
- 661-257-9688 for the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project
- 661-803-1641 for Straightening Reins, equine therapy
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