The holidays are a time when many connect with family and friends in celebration. But the reality is that for some, the holidays bring negative stress and can trigger situations that undermine mental health.

I am Cathy McCabe. I currently serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Spartanburg County Foundation. I also served on the Board of Mental Health America (MHA) -Spartanburg for three years. Mental health issues have affected my family just as they have affected others. In the past, we didn’t talk about these issues or tried to hide them, and treatments were often unsuccessful. My mother’s sister, Aunt Avis, suffered from severe depression, partly due to a difficult marriage and the responsibility of running the family farm. She was eventually admitted to the state hospital on Bull Street in Columbia, where she underwent shock therapy. Unfortunately, the therapy was overused, and the Aunt Avis I knew was left with the mental capacity of a five-year-old.

Mental health issues not only burden our families but also our Spartanburg community. When running for mayor of Spartanburg, I realized that many of the problems we face—homelessness, domestic violence, crime—are directly related to mental health issues. This realization led me to dedicate time to addressing mental health. My focus has been reducing the stigma so people can recognize these issues and seek help.

At this time of year, people struggling with clinical depression are more likely to experience worsening symptoms through the holidays.  

• Consider the woman managing social anxiety when so many around her are energized by busy gatherings with coworkers, friends, and family.
• What about the man affected by seasonal affective disorder (SAD)? Changes in sunlight have triggered bio-chemical changes in his body, reducing both his sense of well-being and energy, causing him to withdraw from his family.
• Your neighbor may be grieving the loss of a loved one and that results in changes in holiday traditions.
• The person sitting next to you in the doctor’s office may feel extreme stress from the pressure and desire to buy gifts for her children but lacks the money to do so.

Some use alcohol and drugs to cope – which can lead to dangerous consequences.

I am not a mental health expert, but I am an advocate – for people – for my community. If you struggle during the holidays, let someone know. Acknowledge what you are feeling. Talk to your doctor.

Mental Health America has an online guide, HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS. It offers links to information and free support services and strategies to help strengthen mental health.  It is one of many resources available to provide information on taking steps to a brighter holiday season.

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Without mental health, there is no health.” From the Spartanburg County Foundation and MHA Spartanburg, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.