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Tips and Resources for a Safe and Connected Holiday Season

 

The end of a year is a time of reflection for many of us, and 2020 has given us much to think about, adjust to and, for many of us, grieve for. This holiday season also looks different from those of the past as we adapt to keep ourselves, our families, and our communities safe in the face of an ongoing pandemic. 

However you choose to celebrate this year, it is important to take extra steps to care for yourself and your loved ones during this time. Below you will find tips and resources for celebrating safely while caring for your emotional well-being all season long.

Acknowledging Grief

Many of us have suffered losses this year: Whether that was the ultimate loss of a loved one, or other losses like an income and identity that comes from working, or milestones like graduations, weddings, and birthdays that looked much different than we planned and dreamt of. 

If you have suffered a loss the holidays can be an especially challenging time, reminding you of loved ones who aren’t present, or increasing the awareness of economic hardships you may be facing from a job loss. Grief is a natural response to loss, but ideally it is a multi-stage process that you move through. When the grieving process becomes extended and complicated people can experience longer-term mental health problems like increased depression, anxiety, distress, as well as higher rates of substance use disorder and even suicide. So, how do you help yourself move through the grief?

      • Recognize Your Grief — First, you need to recognize it’s there. Name feelings specifically when they arise — are you feeling angry, scared, or embarrassed? Allow yourself to acknowledge and feel the feeling instead of pushing it away or numbing out.
      • Find Ways to Cope — Finding ways to cope with uncomfortable feelings when they come up is the next step. There are things you can do on your own in this time of physical separation that will build your ability to cope, like going for a walk, writing down your thoughts, meditating or praying.
      • Create a Community of Support — Creating a supportive environment for ourselves, even in times of physical distancing, can help the grieving process. Community support can come in many forms, whether it’s having open conversations about what we’re going through with the people you live with, calling and talking with a trusted friend, reaching out to peer supporters, or getting mental health support from a professional.

Make a Plan:

If you are feeling especially stressed going into this holiday season, you are not alone. To increase feelings of predictability, try to stick with your routine as much as you can this month if things start to get chaotic. Also, creating a plan for the holidays now will greatly help reduce anxiety. Check out these articles for guidance on celebrating safely this year: 

Find Comfort in Traditions:

Taking part in your favorite holiday traditions (while practicing physical distancing!) can help bring comfort and joy during an uncertain time. If you’re feeling anxious, re-watch a favorite holiday movie, make a playlist of your favorite holiday songs, cook the comfort food recipes as you normally would this time of year. And maybe it’s even time to start a new tradition.

Get Support

Tri-City Mental Health offers free supportive services to individuals and families in Pomona, La Verne and Claremont. We are here for you 24/7 to help support your well-being during the holiday season and COVID-19.

  • Non-Emergency Peer Support: If you’re having difficulty finding emotional support or would like to talk to someone outside of your immediate circle, consider speaking to a Peer Mentor for non-emergency support. Call our main line at (866) 623-9500 and ask to receive a Peer Mentor referral.
  • 24/7 Supplemental Crisis Line: If you are a client of Tri-City, please reach out to your treatment team for support. If you are experiencing emotional distress and are not receiving treatment services at Tri-City, call our 24/7 Supplemental Crisis line at (909) 623-6131 to speak with a clinician.
  • Virtual Support Groups: Talk with others who have been through similar life experiences. Our Wellness Center is now offering over 20 virtual support groups. To participate, please pre-register by contacting the Wellness Center at (888) 593-4448 (toll free) or wellness@tricitymhs.org.

Additional Resources: