Holiday depression is something that’s becoming more and more common, unfortunately, and it needs to be talked about. The rate of suicide goes substantially up around this time of year. Christmas is supposed to be a happy time of the year! We celebrate Jesus’ birth! But how? We celebrate by being with family and friends. Well, what if you just lost a loved one or this is the time of year that a loved one was lost? What if a close family member is deployed  and can’t be home? What if your family is separated by divorce? Well then it’s not such a happy time, is it? The holiday season can be a tough one for a lot of people. Not everyone shows it and goes into a depression, but the struggle is there.

For me, I remember the Christmas celebrations with my late Grandma who’s birthday was also yesterday. I would help decorate the downstairs tree and set up for the party on Christmas Day. Remembering those times isn’t the hard part, though. What’s hard, is knowing the last Christmas she was alive for, I wasn’t there. I was living with the boyfriend I had at the time. You might say that’s not a good reason, and you’re right, it’s not until you find out that he was emotionally and sexually abusive and I was not allowed to go to my family Christmas events. At the time, I didn’t really have a say. I still feel guilty. I had a choice a year before that to be in that relationship.

Now, I also have a friend that struggles with the other two situations. She has been divorced for a number of years and has three kids. Her oldest child is in the US Marine Corps serving overseas. She doesn’t get to spend as much time as she would like with the children that are here and gets lonely from lacking someone who is just as devoted to her as she is to him.

So what to do about that holiday depression or blues…

1. If you aren’t the one struggling but know someone who is…
   • bring them to one of your parties or leave a little early to spend time with them.
   • Bake them cookies or do something to bring some holiday and Christmas cheer to them.
2. If you are the one struggling…
   • PLEASE! Do not be afraid to ask for help!
   • Ask to join someone’s gathering.
   • Go talk to someone whether it be a pastor, friend, or counselor.
   • I’m also sure your human resources department at work can help.

Whatever you do, don’t try to do this alone because we aren’t meant to. Click HERE for more help. And be sure to like, comment, share, and follow my blog and social media!  Doing this will tell me that you enjoyed what you read  and want to read more.