Winter holidays are already difficult for some, as the days get shorter and stress mounts, but a pandemic has made this overall year and season even more difficult.
Now, people across the world also are dealing with lost loved ones, unemployment, shaky finances, health concerns and recommendations against holiday gatherings.
A Brown County COAD hotline was set up months ago to aid residents in filling various needs they’ve had throughout the pandemic. Volunteers who answer the phone at 988-0001 have helped local people find food, household supplies, and money to pay their utility bills or housing costs.
But the line has also been getting calls from people who are distressed. At the Dec. 7 meeting, members of COAD (Community Organizations Active in a Disaster) talked about what appears to be a rise in pandemic anxiety lately, including from people who have been staying home to stay safe.
“People can’t travel. They’re depressed. It’s going to be a long, grey winter,” said Kim Robinson, who’s been answering a lot of the COAD calls.
“I think it’s huge right now. People are starting to feel anxious,” added Melissa Stinson, human resources manager for county government.
Last week, the group pushed out some numbers on its Facebook page for anyone who feels like they need to talk, without any judgment. “It’s okay to want emotional support,” the post said. “Fear and anxiety about coronavirus, your financial situation, and your health can be overwhelming.”
Local people have been calling the sheriff’s department, too, when those feelings are pushed to an emergency level.
In 2019, dispatch at the Brown County Sheriff’s Department received 48 calls to aid people who may be suicidal. So far for 2020, that number is 57 with two more weeks to go.
Local mental health care provider Centerstone also is receiving more calls for help than normal.
“We have definitely seen an increase in demand for services, particularly the last two months as winter has begun to near,” said Amanda Kinnaird, Centerstone’s child and family services manager.
Mental Health America has a webpage dedicated to preparing for the holidays in a pandemic, including how to cope with changes to holiday plans.
“If you live with a mental health condition, you may have an especially difficult time with the uncertainty and the change of plans this year. Many people with mental health conditions find consistency important in their recovery, especially during times of high stress — like both the pandemic and the holiday season,” the website states.
“A sudden shift in tradition may have you feeling an extreme loss of control on top of disappointment.”
Losing loved ones this year to COVID-19, job losses and financial stress, and working overtime in fields like health care and not being able to take time off for family are just some of the changes people are experiencing this holiday season.
“It can be hard to cope with these kinds of changes, especially if certain holidays are the only time you see some of your loved ones,” Mental Health America states.
Lately, Centerstone has been seeing more first-time clients, Kinnaird said.
“I think this is directly related to the fact that we are all struggling with the impact of this pandemic. It’s a sign of strength to know people in our community are seeking support when they are struggling,” she said.
If you are experiencing major disruptions in sleep or eating patterns; frequently occurring feelings of fear, panic or worry; increased alcohol and other substance use; or persistent feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and worthlessness, you may want to seek help, Kinnaird said.
Other signs include physical symptoms like a racing heart and stomach pain that cannot be explained with another medical issue; thoughts of harming yourself or others; thoughts of suicide; long lasting sadness or irritability; breakdowns in and disconnection from relations with loved ones; and the inability to manage typical responsibilities like work, school and household tasks.
“We are all experiencing the weight of this pandemic. I have not encountered one person in my personal or professional life who does not have some degree of increased stress, anxiety, loneliness or depression,” Kinnaird said.
A person should seek professional when these feelings become “persistent and are resistant to the coping strategies you employ,” Kinnaird said.
Professional help also should be sought if the above feelings are experienced more often than not, for several weeks or longer, and/or they negatively impact relationships, work and school, Kinnaird continued.
“There is no doubt that the holiday season will look different this year,” she said.
The Centerstone office in Brown County can be reached directly at 812-988-2258 or by calling 1-877-HOPE123.
There are ways to combat the uncertainty and change a holiday season during a pandemic brings.
Mental Health America suggests to identify how you’re feeling.
“This year has been a difficult year for many reasons. That means that some of your distress is likely related to things other than the holidays. It is completely normal for you to be feeling a bit more emotional than usual right now,” the website states.
They suggest writing in a journal; talking to a friend; or spending quiet time alone, thinking.
“Once you have a better idea of the specific feelings you’re experiencing, you can start making plans to cope with them,” the agency suggests.
It’s OK to grieve the loss of normalcy this year, the group said.
But even though holiday traditions will look different this year, they do not have to go away altogether.
Baking sweets and delivering them to loved ones and making your favorite holiday meals is a way to keep the holidays alive this year, Mental Health America states.
Skipping out on holiday travel and many holiday-related to do lists can also be seen as a positive.
“You don’t need to be happy about this — sometimes the chaos is part of the fun — but be careful not to distort the situation and make it seem worse than it really is,” Mental Health America states.
Practicing gratitude is another way to cope this holiday season. Mental Health America suggests finding a variety of things in your life to be grateful for, like your health, or even your favorite song playing on the radio.
“Change is hard, but it isn’t always bad. There are still ways to celebrate the season with your loved ones, even if you must give up some of your favorite traditions,” Mental Health America states.
“Find creative ways to adapt, or start new traditions. They may even add more meaning to your holiday season.”
Kinnaird said it is important to think about what brings peace and connectedness to your life, then try to build that intentionally into holiday plans.
“That may involve getting outdoors, listening to your favorite music, using essential oils or candles to fill your home with calming aromas, reading a good book, taking warm showers, etc.,” she said.
Kinnaird it’s more important now to continue self-care strategies into the winter, along with finding new strategies to try.
“It is also going to be important to let go of our expectations we have historically had for this time of year and embrace the change,” she said.
Facetiming or having Zoom calls with family you cannot see this year, or even sending them letters in the mail, is another way to still feel connected, Kinnaird said.
Most importantly, if a person feels isolated or alone, they need to reach out.
A crisis counselor can be reached via text by using the hotline 741741.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also a resource for people to get crisis counseling over the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You do not have to be experiencing thoughts of suicide to call, Kinnaird said.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Centerstone also has a crisis line at 1-800-832-5442.
“Reach out to a friend or family member, and when that doesn’t feel like an option, use a hotline,” Kinnaird said.
