Two weeks until Christmas! As the holidays quicken around us, many of us are left exhausted. Others have binges of loneliness if they are away from loved ones, while stress is a constant for more than would like to admit. In the cold days of winter, in the holiday season, depression also makes an uptick, affecting the mental health of so many in what should be a joyous season.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately 64% of individuals with a mental illness experience increased symptoms during the holidays.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) is offering information on coping with stress and depression during the holidays. You can find a link to its website here.  We hope you may find this information helpful, or that you can pass it on to friends, family members, or church and civic groups.

Get ready for some Perry Wellness Center Christmas photos soon!