AUSTIN, Texas — The holiday season is often called the most wonderful time of the year. However, for some, it could be a dark, lonely experience.
This time of the year can cause more stress and anxiety, especially for those battling with mental health issues.
Natalia Dayan is a licensed social worker with Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit organization that provides free 24/7 mental health support via text message in English and in Spanish. Dayan said it's very normal to feel lonely during the holidays.
"There's this expectation around family and gatherings and friends. For a lot of people that are maybe not around family or friends, it can feel very isolating. It can be also very stressful. There's a lot of expectations around the holidays, around financial stress or traveling and seeing family sometimes," Dayan said.
Those factors can lead to feeling overwhelmed, and with a lot of holidays coming up in a short period of time, we often forget to check in with ourselves.
Signs that you or someone around you could be suffering from mental health include feelings of depression, sadness, heaviness and feeling like you can't continue on with everyday tasks.
"Maybe you're not feeling well physically, right? Your heart rate is going fast, the way that you sleep will change. You're sleeping more, you're sleeping less. The way that you're eating might change, you're eating more or you're eating less. All of those things, your ability to focus," said Dayan.
Experts say for any type of concern you may have for yourself, a family member or a friend, check in sooner than later.
"I think that is the best gift that we can give people during this time of the year of being present as much as you can, listening as much as you can in a way that it's intentional, not just, you know, in passing, but really being with the person, reflecting, showing empathy," explained Dayan.
Solutions that can help those struggling with mental health is reaching out to someone at the Crisis Text Line by texting the word HOME to 741-741.
Also, being outdoors in fresh air and volunteering and focusing on others can help get you through difficult times.
"This is the time to volunteer. I think you also get to connect with other people. There's a lot of community around volunteering and that also helps us navigate and doing something good for others is very rewarding. Focusing on others or doing something that's mission-driven can really help us through difficult times and get the focus out of ourselves and a little bit on other people," said Dayan.
The Crisis Text Line is always looking for counselors since they work on a volunteer basis.
Anyone above the age of 18 is invited and welcome to apply. All of the volunteering happens from home and those interested can apply here.