How to Support Someone with Mental Health Issues During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness, but for many people, it can be a period of heightened stress, loneliness, or emotional strain. This is particularly true for individuals struggling with mental health issues. The pressures of social gatherings, financial stress, and the general expectations of “happiness” during the holidays can exacerbate feelings of isolation, anxiety, or depression.

1. Acknowledge Their Struggles and Validate Their Feelings

Mental health issues can often feel isolating, especially during the holidays when others may seem to be enjoying festive activities or family gatherings. One of the best ways to support someone is to acknowledge their experiences and feelings, without downplaying or dismissing them.

What to do:

• Listen actively and empathetically when they talk about their feelings. Don’t interrupt or offer solutions unless they ask.

• Reassure them that it’s okay to feel how they feel, and that they are not alone in their struggles.

• Avoid comments like “Just think positive” or “It’s the holidays, cheer up!” These can make someone feel invalidated or misunderstood.

2. Offer to Make Adjustments to Holiday Plans

The holidays often come with numerous obligations—family dinners, parties, travel, and more. For someone struggling with mental health issues, these expectations can be overwhelming. Being flexible with plans can help alleviate stress.

What to do:

• Ask them how they would like to participate in holiday activities, rather than assuming.

• If they prefer a quiet, low-key celebration, offer alternatives like a cozy evening at home or a small gathering with close friends or family.

• If they’re feeling overwhelmed by travel, offer to stay local or suggest a different time to celebrate.

• Be willing to accommodate their need for breaks during events, or the option to leave early if they feel overwhelmed.

3. Be Mindful of Triggers

Holidays can bring up a variety of emotional triggers for those with mental health conditions. These may include reminders of past trauma, family dynamics, or feelings of inadequacy. It’s important to be aware of these triggers and approach them with sensitivity.

What to do:

• If you know of specific triggers, do your best to avoid them during interactions.

• Offer safe spaces where they can retreat if they need a break.

• If certain conversations or topics tend to bring up negative emotions, gently steer the conversation in another direction.

• Remind them that it’s okay to leave a situation if they begin to feel triggered or uncomfortable.

4. Respect Their Boundaries

During the holidays, there is often a pressure to socialize or attend events, but not everyone has the emotional energy for that. Respecting a person’s boundaries and giving them the space they need is essential for supporting their well-being.

What to do:

• Allow them to say no to invitations without judgment. If they decline, don’t press them to explain or guilt them into attending.

• Be understanding if they need time alone, whether it's for rest or personal reflection.

• Avoid overloading them with too many obligations or expectations.

5. Encourage Self-Care and Provide Practical Support

While mental health issues can make self-care difficult, encouraging small acts of self-care during the holidays can make a difference. Sometimes, offering practical help can ease the burden they might be feeling.

What to do:

• Offer to help with holiday preparations, like shopping, wrapping gifts, or cooking, if you notice they are feeling overwhelmed.

• Encourage simple self-care practices, like taking walks, meditating, or listening to calming music. Offer to join them if it helps.

• Suggest grounding activities that might help manage anxiety or stress, like journaling, art, or cooking together.

• If they are taking medication or seeing a therapist, remind them to stick to their treatment plan.

6. Create a Low-Stress Environment

Sometimes the best gift you can give is simply creating a calm, low-pressure environment. For someone with mental health challenges, the noise and chaos of the holiday season can be overwhelming.

What to do:

• Keep gatherings small and intimate to avoid overstimulation.

• Consider quiet holiday activities like watching movies together, playing games, or baking.

• Encourage moments of silence or downtime if things start to feel overwhelming.

• Keep expectations for “holiday perfection” low and focus on enjoying time together without the pressure to make everything “Instagram-worthy.”

7. Check in Regularly

The holidays can leave people feeling isolated, especially if they’re unable to participate in typical social events. Regular check-ins can help them feel seen, supported, and loved.

What to do:

• Call or text to check in regularly, even if they don’t respond right away. Just knowing someone cares can mean a lot.

• Invite them to talk about how they’re feeling, without pushing them to share if they’re not ready.

• Let them know that you’re there for them if they need to vent or simply talk about something non-holiday related.

8. Help Them Manage Holiday Stress

The holidays are often stressful even for those without mental health conditions. Financial pressures, gift-buying, and managing family dynamics can all add to a sense of stress. Offering practical help and emotional support can alleviate some of these burdens.

What to do:

• Offer help with shopping or errands, or even just brainstorming gift ideas for others, so they don’t feel overwhelmed.

• Be mindful of their mental load and offer to take care of some of the planning, organizing, or hosting duties.

• Remind them that they don’t need to do everything or meet everyone’s expectations—what matters most is their well-being.

9. Encourage Professional Support if Needed

While you can provide significant emotional support, sometimes the holidays bring out the need for professional intervention, especially if someone’s mental health is worsening. Encourage them to seek help if necessary and offer assistance with finding a therapist or support group.

What to do:

• Gently suggest that they reach out to a mental health professional if they are feeling especially down or anxious during the season.

• Help them find a therapist who specializes in holiday-related stress or mental health challenges, if they don’t already have one.

• Let them know that it’s okay to seek professional help, and that they deserve support during tough times.

Final Thoughts

Supporting a loved one with mental health issues during the holiday season can be challenging, but it’s also a time when your care and understanding can make a profound difference. Remember, your kindness, empathy, and willingness to be flexible can provide them with the emotional relief they need to navigate the season more comfortably.

Above all, remind them that it’s okay not to be okay, and that they are loved and valued, no matter how they feel. Sometimes, the most meaningful gift you can give is simply your presence and understanding.

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Toll Free: 833-767-HOPE

8312 Cleveland Ave NW

North Canton, OH 44720