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Christmas/New Year

Christmas/New Year

As I'm sure you're all aware, Christmas is fast approaching. While it’s portrayed in the media as being a ‘wonderful time of the year’, the reality is that for many it’s far from that. For various reasons, Christmas can be a really challenging time. And for those with mental health illness, it can be even more so. We have started to see posts already about anxiety, depression, estrangement, and loneliness in regards to Christmas.

SO, we want to know what you think you might need from us, the staff at SANE. We would love to hear from you about any ideas you may have as to how we can make the Christmas and New Year period more ‘doable’ for you all. Keep in mind also that a lot of the regular peer workers will not be around during this time. What can we do to make this easier for you?

I’ll add these two articles that some may find helpful:

https://www.hcf.com.au/health-agenda/body-mind/mental-health/lonely-christmas-how-to-deal-with-being-alone-during-the-festive-season

https://www.onedoor.org.au/events-media/blog/christmas-and-mental-health

@Snowie @Shaz51 @maddison @Eve7 @NatureLover @ShiningStar @outlander @Zoe7 @Dimity @Determined @Judi9877 @Former-Member @Faith-and-Hope @MDT @BlueBay @Krishna @Bow @Captain24 @creative_writer @StuF @Former-Member

80 replies

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In response to: Christmas/New Year

Re: Christmas/New Year

Hey @Shaz51,

Always lovely to see you on here in the Forums. Hope you are well and the day in being kind to you ❤️

In response to: Christmas/New Year

Re: Christmas/New Year

This is exactly what I need. I'm not sure which of my children I will see on ChristmasDay., things are rather fragmented at the moment. The idea of having a Christmas chat room to remove even 1% of the feeling of loneliness is amazing.

In response to: Re: Christmas/New Year

Re: Christmas/New Year

I struggle with Christmas too, but try really hard to make it magical for my daughter. We have family over for lunch and then everyone, including my daughter leaves- she goes to her fathers for the afternoon. So I’m sure I’ll be around in the afternoon to chat…. Or maybe I’ll nap!

In response to: Re: Christmas/New Year

Re: Christmas/New Year

@Hope0011 ❤️ Sending lots of hugs. Welcome to the forums and I hope you find the thread a supportive space in the lead up to a tough time ❤️

In response to: Re: Christmas/New Year

Re: Christmas/New Year

Thanks for the warm welcome.

In response to: Re: Christmas/New Year

Re: Christmas/New Year

I'm glad this thread started early. My feelings about Xmas are complicated. Any of our family celebrations have been fraught for as long as I can remember - certainly since I moved out at 21 - and I acknowledge but regret my failings in that regard. I'm currently negotiating this year's arrangements. It's a hurdle and it hurts, but I'm trying. Xmas to me exemplifies the mind-body-spirit split. Thank goodness for the music.

In response to: Re: Christmas/New Year

Re: Christmas/New Year

@BobP , @Anna223 , @Judi9877 , @ButterflyWings , @maddison , @Hope0011 , @hanami , @Former-Member

In response to: Re: Christmas/New Year

Re: Christmas/New Year

I will reply to this with 💚❤️🎄🔔📯 but not feeling it this year and not wanting to be with anyone. Might go put the tree up to try to cheer my husband and I up...dunno what good it would do. Sorry....

In response to: Re: Christmas/New Year

Re: Christmas/New Year

Thankyou @Shaz51 👍🌲

@ButterflyWings I feel the same this year! I don't have any interest. Hope you are ok.

In response to: Re: Christmas/New Year

Re: Christmas/New Year

Hey @Bow

When I was a single mum Christmas was bittersweet. I had the best morning with my daughter and then she'd go to her dad's. I used to go for long walks to take my mind off it.

❤️

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