As the holiday season unfolds with its festive decorations and joyful gatherings, it is essential to acknowledge that for a significant portion of the population, this time of year brings heightened stress, anxiety, and financial pressure.
Cities like DeLand, typically charming year-round, undergo a magical transformation during the holidays, adorned with Christmas trees, candy canes, and wreaths. While this spectacle is a source of joy for many, for others, it serves as a stark reminder of the impending weeks filled with anxiety.
A recent study conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) revealed that 64% of individuals with mental health conditions experience a worsening of their symptoms during the holiday season.
According to Alexandra Martinez, the Director of the Alachua County Crisis Center, the holiday period can intensify feelings of isolation due to societal expectations. Martinez explains, “This time of year, that sense of isolation may be brought about because of holiday pressure. Or a sense of maybe ‘I’m forced to be around people that I don’t necessarily feel connected to, or I don’t feel seen or understood by.'”
The Alachua Crisis Center, a 24/7 hotline catering to Volusia and Flagler counties, notes a shift in the nature of calls during December. Martinez states, “We’ll see a lot of calls related to grief. A lot of concerns around family struggles, family stress, a sense of disconnection from family.”
Financial strain also plays a significant role in holiday stress. Lawrence Anderson, representing the United Way of Volusia and Flagler County, points out that their 24/7 211 line, connecting individuals to vital resources, experiences an uptick in calls related to holiday-induced stress.
“Individuals start to request more food resources to ensure that their families have nutrients for the holidays, season for Thanksgiving and for Christmas,” says Anderson. “We also see an increased need or requests for gifts, Christmas gifts, angel trees, things like that to make sure that kids have everything that they need.”
Many of these calls during the holiday season are linked to financial concerns. Anderson elaborates, “Those needs can go from electric assistance, rental assistance, homeless-related housing, coordinated entry gifts, food, a wide variety of needs, mental health assistance, peer navigation, whatever the case may be.”
In light of these challenges, it is crucial to reach out for support, whether it be for mental health or material needs. Assistance is available, and community organizations stand ready to help those facing the additional burdens of the holiday season.
