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Navigating the Silent Struggle: Taking Care of Your Mental Health During the Christmas Season


White chistmas bauble decorations with shiny silver curled ribbon on a pastel pink bavkground

Hey there! Christmas is known for bringing joy, togetherness, and endless fun. But for many people, this time of year can also bring challenging emotions like sadness, grief, and loneliness. In this article, I want to explore the difficulties that some of us might face during Christmas and to remind ourselves of the importance of acknowledging and accepting our emotions while actively promoting positivity.


"Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day." - Alice Morse Earle

The Silent Struggle:

While the world celebrates with decorations, heartfelt gifts, and festive gatherings, some of us find ourselves dealing with our own internal struggles. Whether it's navigating grief over lost loved ones, dealing with family challenges, coping with financial stress, or feeling isolated, the pressure to be constantly cheerful during Christmas can make us feel inadequate and hopeless.


It's Okay to Feel:

Let's be clear – it's completely normal and valid to feel sadness, grief, or loneliness during the Christmas season. Society often promotes the idea of constant happiness, but it's important to recognise that these emotions are a natural part of being human. By allowing ourselves to fully feel and accept these emotions, we can begin to heal.


Breaking the Stigma:

In a world dominated by social media, it's easy to believe that everyone else is effortlessly enjoying Christmas. But the truth is more complex. Many people struggle with their mental health during Christmas. By bravely sharing our own struggles and having honest conversations, we can help break the stigma surrounding mental health. This shift in perspective fosters understanding and empathy in our communities, creating a more compassionate and supportive environment.


Seeking Support:

Acknowledging and accepting our mental health challenges during this time is important, but it's equally as crucial to actively seek support. Whether we confide in a trusted friend, a family member, or reach out to a mental health professional, asking for help is empowering. Sharing our feelings and seeking support becomes a lifeline during difficult times. It's a way of showing self-compassion and recognising that being vulnerable is not a sign of weakness, but rather a path to strength and resilience.


Fostering Positivity:

While it's important to acknowledge and process difficult emotions, the Christmas season also presents an opportunity for self-care and positivity. Engaging in activities that bring joy, like volunteering, practicing gratitude, or exploring a creative outlet, can help shift our focus from pain to resilience. Moreover, adapting or creating new traditions that align with our emotional needs can transform the Christmas period into a more fulfilling experience.


Conclusion:

We know that the Christmas season can be challenging for those dealing with mental health. However, by consciously acknowledging and embracing our complex emotions, engaging in conversations that break down the stigma around mental health, seeking and accepting support, and intentionally forming positive experiences, we can navigate the Christmas period with greater resilience. It's important to remember that it's okay not to be okay, and through self-care and compassion, we can discover moments of joy and connection even in the face of life's challenges.


Mental Health Support in Australia:

If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance, please contact emergency services at 000


  • Lifeline Australia:💠 Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)

  • Beyond Blue:💠 Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7 support) 💬 Online chat

  • Kids Helpline:💠 Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7 support for ages 5-25) 💬 Webchat available

  • Suicide Call Back Service: 💠Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7 support)

  • MensLine Australia:💠 Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7 support)

  • QLife:💠 Phone: 1800 184 527 (3pm-12am, 7 days) 💬 Online chat 🌐 QLife

  • SANE Australia Helpline:💠 Phone: 1800 187 263 (10am-10pm, Mon to Fri) 🌐 SANE Australia

  • Headspace:💠 Phone: 1800 650 890 (Youth Mental Health Foundation, 9am-1am, 7 days) 💬 Online chat 🌐 Headspace

  • The Butterfly Foundation (Eating Disorders):💠 Phone: 1800 33 4673 (8am-9pm, Mon to Fri) 💬 Online chat 🌐 The Butterfly Foundation

  • Black Dog Institute: The Black Dog Institute provides information, resources, and support for understanding, preventing, and treating mental illness.🌐 Black Dog Institute

  • Open Arms - Veterans:💠 Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7) 🌐 Open Arms

  • Gambling Help Online:💠 Phone: 1800 858 858 (24/7) 💬 Online chat 🌐 Gambling Help Online

  • Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet - Mental Health: Resources specific to the mental health and well-being of Indigenous Australians. 🌐 Mental Health - Indigenous HealthInfoNet


Remember, there's strength in seeking help, and these organisations are here to provide support and resources. Reach out whenever you or someone you know needs assistance.


 
 
 

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DIVERSITY & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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Coaching and Coordination Australia Pty Ltd is committed to inclusive communities. We acknowledge all people who have personal experience of disability and/or mental health conditions. The voice of people with lived experience is essential in the development of our work. We especially wish to acknowledge those people who are unable to speak and be heard.

 

We acknowledge the many organisations, service providers and community members who work in partnership with us and who share their views, knowledge and expertise, and their stories that help shape our work.

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Coaching and Coordination Australia Pty Ltd acknowledges the First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this country, with unique cultures, languages and spiritual relationships to the land and seas. We pay our respect to Ancestors, Elders past, present and emerging, Families, and their cultures and customs.

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Diversity Inclusion and acknowledgments
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