People across our area are getting back to normal life after the holidays, but the transition isn’t easy for everyone. Many times, you hear about people struggling during the holiday season, but a mental health expert says she sees a lot of people dealing with depression after the holiday lights come down. Memorial Health Behavioral Health Manager Mary Jo Horton says she sees a spike in depression and suicide rates during the months of January, February and March. “People don’t have natural gatherings, things that happen, things to look forward to. And what you see is this part of the winter season, people can really struggle. And they do it in silence and isolation,” says Horton. she said. She says there are things you can do to deal with the post-holiday slump. Instead of going into isolation, make plans with people at least once a week. Also, find an activity that makes you happy, like exercise. Another key thing to do is recognize when it’s time to get professional help. “Just looking in the mirror with care and compassion and say, ‘I’m suffering.’ This is what happens. I don’t function anymore. Then I really look at ways of doing some sort of link inventory. Who in my life I can relate to that I feel comfortable with,” Horton said. There are signs to look for that your mental health is struggling. Maybe you’ve started canceling plans with people, can’t get out of bed, or miss regular activities like going to work.
People across our area are getting back to normal life after the holidays, but the transition isn’t easy for everyone.
Many times you hear about people struggling during the holiday season, but a mental health expert says she sees many people dealing with depression after the holiday lights come down.
Memorial Health Behavioral Health Manager Mary Jo Horton says she sees a spike in depression and suicide rates during the months of January, February and March.
“People don’t have natural gatherings, things that happen, things to look forward to. And what you see is this part of the winter season, people can really struggle. And they do it in silence and isolation,” says Horton. he said.
She says there are things you can do to help deal with the post-holiday slump.
Instead of going into isolation, make plans with people at least once a week.
Also, find an activity that makes you happy, like exercise.
Another key thing to do is recognize when it’s time to get professional help.
“Just looking in the mirror with care and compassion and say, ‘I’m suffering.’ This is what happens. I no longer function. Then I really look at ways to do some sort of link inventory. Who in my life I can relate to that I feel comfortable with,” Horton said.
There are signs to look for that your mental health is struggling.
Maybe you’ve started canceling plans with people, can’t get out of bed, or miss regular activities like going to work.
