In form of Christmas season arrives in Saskatchewan, not everyone is feeling blissful.
“So the holidays come with a lot of ‘shoulds,’ a lot of things we feel we should do,” said psychotherapist Sarah Dungavel.
“People are a little anxious, maybe stressed about getting work done, traveling, buying gifts, there could be financial stress,” said Rita Field, executive director of the Saskatoon Crisis and Intervention Service.
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She said their 24-hour crisis service receives about 75-85 requests a day and the holiday season is one of their busiest times of the year.
“It’s the sadness, the loneliness, maybe if they live alone or are physically separated that can add to everything,” Field said.
“It’s ‘I’m feeling a little sad, it’s supposed to be a happy, merry, bright season, it’s not me right now’, so it’s people reaching out.”
While some people experience loneliness during the holiday season, others have to contend with family gatherings and unhealthy relationships.
Out Saskatoon said that at Christmas, they speak to many individuals who are facing difficulties due to strained family relationships.
“For a lot of people in the queer community, they’re bringing stories to the fore and their transition stories don’t always happen with their families, you know? And so, they have a tough time,” said Crystal Necker, Saskatoon’s executive director.
Dungavel said that such situations should have limits for personal wellbeing and that people can plan ahead to deal with hardship.
“Is there somewhere we can book in some time off to emotionally recharge because we know it’s challenging to be around our families?” Dungavel said. “Or can we come up with some phrases that we can say to our family when they start crossing our boundaries?”
These small steps of self-care can help family members maintain some composure while feeling socially overwhelmed by the festivities, she added.
“The number one human need is for connection. As we head into the Christmas season, we can forget what we need internally,” Field said.
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