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Is the holiday season stressing you out? Help is just a phone call away


Is the holiday season stressing you out? Help is just a phone call away
Is the holiday season stressing you out? Help is just a phone call away
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DAYTON, Ohio (WKEF) It's the "most wonderful time of the year"! Or thus proclaims at least one popular holiday song, and for many those words ring true as they gather with family to enjoy good food, exchance gifts, and share in holiday cheer. But for others the season can also be filled with stress, anxiety, and depression.

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) wants Ohioans to know that it's okay not to be okay, even during the time of year when most people feel like they have to meet an expectation of being okay. OhioMHAS also says that if somebody is not okay, help is only a phone call away. The Ohio CareLine (1-800-720-9616) provides free, confidential, emotional support 24/7, and is staffed by trained counselors who provide compassionate assistance; including resources and information, brief interventions, and referrals to local mental health and substance abuse disorder treatment providers - should it become necessary.

“It’s completely normal to feel anxious and stressed during the holidays. Regardless of the reason, we want Ohioans to know during this holiday season that they are not alone, and help is available,” said OhioMHAS Director Lori Criss. “No one should suffer in silence. CareLine staff stand ready to provide a helpful, friendly voice and connections to care when it’s needed most.”

The American Psychological Association says that 44% of women and 33% of men surveyed feel stress during the holidays. It explains that some common triggers for these feelings include family gatherings that devolve into arguments, overspending that adds to financial problems, and pressure to create festive homes and gatherings. Additionally, a study by the National Alliance on Mental Illness showed that 64% of people with a pre-existing mental illness say that holidays make their conditions worses. The COVID-19 pandemic has also made maintaining mental health even more challenging for many people.

In addition to keeping the CareLine number handy, OhioMHAS offers several tips on how best to manage stress during the holidays:

  • Maintain a positive mindset and leave the baggage behind. Focus on good memories
  • Detour around triggers and avoid hot button conversations (politics, religion, etc.)
  • Slow down on emotional responses and take time to focus on the bigger picture
  • Exercise, go for a walk, unplug from televisions, smartphones, and social media
  • Maintain healthy sleeping, eating and drinking habits
  • Connect with family, friends, neighbors. Take the Strive for Five challenge

Ohio CareLine was launched in April 2020, and since then has fielded over 8,500 calls from every region in the state. Callers had a variety of reasons for reaching out, with 35% calling for information, 22% calling due to stress and anxiety, and 21% calling due to concerns about mental health. Callers also said they were calling because of loneliness and isolation, alcohol and other drug use, concerns about COVID-19 and physical health, fincancial concerns or unemployment, familial concerns, domestic violence or child abuse, and suicidal ideation.

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