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Mental health support available during the holidays

Merced Sun-Star (CA) - 12/23/2014

Dec. 23--Most people would like to think of the holiday season as a time filled with joy and merriment, but for many, this time of year can also cause stress, anxiety and depression. For those with a mental illness, the weight of the holidays can also trigger more serious problems.

Mary Hofmann, a program coordinator with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI, in Merced County, a nonprofit that offers education, support and advocacy for those with mental illness, said the heart of the problem is that expectations for the holidays tend to be high.

"People will watch TV and see that families look happy," Hofmann said. "Nobody is perfect, but all you see is happy, perfect people. So (viewers) get this idea that everyone except them is happy during the holidays."

The unrealistic expectations, Hofmann said, can cause people to feel down and isolate themselves.

Jan Morita, president of NAMI in Merced County, said the pressure of budgeting, shopping, decorating and hosting dinners can add significant stress. And when someone already has a mental illness, this stress is heightened.

"People with a mental illness need stability and routine," Morita said. "They work very hard in maintaining this stability because that's how they cope."

However, during the holidays, routines are turned upside down. This can cause someone to become manic or more depressed, Morita explained.

Morita, who has learned to manage her bipolar disorder, said that people with mental illnesses work hard to stay on track so they can function and be productive. When holiday activity comes up, suddenly the peace they have established is gone.

"I think it's very important for people to be aware of their limitations. ... They have to know what they can and can't do," Morita said. "And sometimes they just need to take a deep breath and figure out what's really important."

Another factor can be seasonal affective disorder, Hofmann added. This type of depression, which usually occurs during winter months, is more prevalent in the Northwest, where gloomy weather is common, Hofmann said, but cases in this area are not unheard of.

One holiday season myth is that suicides are more frequent, Morita said.

"That is not necessarily true," she said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, the suicide rate is actually lowest in December. Reports show that numbers of suicides peak during spring and fall.

Curt Willems, assistant director of mental health services at the Merced County Department of Mental Health, said one way to prevent giving in to stress or sinking into depression is to surround oneself with family and friends.

"Isolation is never beneficial in regards to coping with depression and stress," Willems said.

He also suggested that those looking for assistance use local support networks that can prove beneficial to many.

Those looking to speak to a crisis volunteer can call the NAMI support line at (209) 381-6844. Hofmann said that calls are checked every day, and those who leave a message will be connected with a trained volunteer, many of whom have been through something similar.

"Sometimes all people need is someone to talk to," Hofmann said.

For more information on mental health programs available in the county, people can call the Mental Health Department at (209) 381-6800.

Sun-Star staff writer Ana B. Ibarra can be reached at (209) 385-2486 or aibarra@mercedsunstar.com.

More resources

Other state and national hotlines people can call for support include:

-- NAMI's informational hotline: (800) 950-6264

-- Crisis Call Center and Depression support: (800) 273-8255

-- National Hopeline Network: (800) 784-2433

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(c)2014 the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.)

Visit the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.) at www.mercedsunstar.com

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