The Holiday Season is full of warmth, anticipation, and family traditions. For some, the season brings sorrow, heartache, and regret. It is important to know that you are not alone in your struggles. As deep and complex emotions ebb and flow, mental health is ever-changing.
Being a man of a certain age, the Holiday Season seems more awkward, disconnected, and painful today compared to years gone by. Traditions are broken. Family members have passed on to the great whatever. It feels like I’m standing amongst the rubble of what was and can’t fully appreciate the what is.
Blessed with wonderful children and grandchildren, I have failed to establish the “perfect traditions” for them to cherish. Of course, that only compounds the heartache.
How did my grandparents do it? How did they manage to foster a solid foundation of traditions that we all loved and cherished? After all, they too experienced loss and changes. The Holiday Traditions of their youth evaporated with time. How were they so flawlessly poised to embrace the new era and create countless memorable Holidays for our ever-expanding family?
The purpose of this article is not to provide readers with magical hacks that will make their Holidays easier or more enjoyable. My heart desires it. Unfortunately, I fall into the purgatory of profound sorrow, just as many of you do. Even more heartbreaking is the realization that I’m failing to establish the amazing memories I’ve been blessed with.
My best advice is to be engaged. Attend get-togethers established by other family members who seem to have cracked the code. Smile, hug, participate, and laugh. You’re in the pictures. You’re in the memories. By that measure, you’ve navigated the season successfully.
If you or someone you love is struggling with the Holiday Season, here are some resources to help.
The local Portsmouth Crisis Line is answered 24/7. I’ve called them twice myself. They answer quickly and are very friendly. That number is 740-354-1010.
Some prefer to text. Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. There is no crisis too big or too small for the Crisis Text Line. The text is received by a live, trained Crisis Counselor who responds quickly.
Veteran’s issues are particularly important. Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1. You can also send a text message to the Veterans Crisis Line at 838255. 24/7, 365 days a year, the Veterans Crisis Line offers free, confidential support.
For mothers, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline can help. Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).
Especially for Teens. Call the Teen Line at 800-852-8336 or text TEEN to 839863. This is a unique program in that the calls and texts are answered by other teens. Below is a short video about their services.
Also, read our important article with lots of myths vs facts that we published a few years ago. Information such as that may just be the right words at the right time to make a positive impact for the right individual.
Finally, this short video should be viewed and then shared with your loved ones. It says everything you may be feeling perfectly.
