Holiday Blues Prevalent During Christmas Season: ‘Merry Christmas’ may be a regular greeting during the Yuletide season, but ‘merry’ is a far cry for some. According to Frances Prescilla Cuevas, Chief Health Program Officer of the Department of Health’s National Mental Health Program, events like Christmas can trigger a ‘temporary feeling of anxiety or sadness’.
“When we talk of holiday blues, it can be experienced by those who have a problem with mental health but only temporarily. For those who have depression, this is more likely to occur,” states Frances Prescilla Cuevas, Chief Health Program Officer of the Department of Health’s National Mental Health Program during a media forum, in an article by Philippine Star.
Cuevas added that individuals with clinical depression should be assisted during the holiday season to prevent serious complications like suicide. According to reports, there are more suicide cases during the Yuletide than at any other time of the year. However, this can be prevented through a strong and stable support system.
Cuevas also added that the common triggers of holiday blues include isolation, being away from loved ones, lack of money to purchase gifts, to mention a few. Moreover, holiday blues can be identified when a person is ‘not being himself/herself’, feeling low, social withdrawal, and having poor self-esteem.
