Local Mental Health Help Through the Holidays

Spreading holiday cheer doesn't come easily for everyone this time of year. Some folks are overwhelmed by depression, alcohol or drug abuse, family concerns or financial woes.

The emergency services staff at the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board does not find more folks are asking about help for depression during the holidays, according to Belinda Buescher, communications director for board, which serves people with mental illness, substance use disorders and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

"The number actually declines during December," she said. But the new year brings new issues. “We do see a slight increase in January. Historically, the spring is when the most suicides occur.”

Do some groups have a harder time coping than others do? “Those who are most at-risk for suicide are older adults, age 80 and older, who suffer from depression," she said. "People in this age group may have lost their family or social support system, which is such a lifeline for many of us during the holidays."

The holiday season, she said, also can be difficult for people with substance use disorders. She said many 12-step groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, hold “alcothons” or “soberthons” with meetings and fellowship around-the-clock Dec. 24-25. 

Has the rough economy in recent years made life harder to manage especially during the holidays?  “We do not have evidence that equates the incidence of depression to the state of the economy,” explained Buescher. “However, lack of financial resources is a very real and serious issue for many people.”

Where can you get help? Check out the the Virginia Department of Health’s website at www.vahealth.org/cdpc/Depression/AreYouAtRiskDepression.

Another resource is www.nami.org. The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers the following advice on getting through the holidays:

•             Stay close to family and friends who understand your illness.

•             Take your medications as prescribed.

•             Get the sleep you need.

•             Don’t compare this holiday with previous ones.

•             Enjoy all the little things you have now.

•             Talk about the stress you feel with family and friends.

•             Keep expectations manageable.

•             Plan your work; work your plan.

•             Set a budget and stick with it.

•             Do something nice for someone else. Do something nice for yourself.

•             Play your favorite music.

•             Reflect on positive memories from the past year and try to build on them.

•             If negative thoughts come, acknowledge them and try to let them go.

Locally, CSB is sponsoring two free community forums on how to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use emergencies among youth and adults:

•             Saturday, Jan. 21 at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Mount Vernon

•             Friday, Jan. 27 at Northern Virginia Community College's Annandale campus

More information can be found on www.fairfaxcounty.gov/csb.

Buescher also suggests checking on people you know who may be at risk, not only during the holidays, but after the holidays as well. 

If you know someone who needs help, Buescher advises calling the CSB Entry and Referral Services at (703) 383-8500, TTY: 711.  For emergencies 24/7, call CSB Emergency Services at (703) 573-5679, TTY: (703) 207-7737 or the Fairfax Detoxification Center at (703) 502-7000, TTY: (703) 538-5292.  For a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

Locally, services are available at the Gartlan Center for Community Mental Health at 8119 Holland Road in Alexandria; at the South County Office at 8350 Richmond Highway, Suite 415 in Alexandria; or at the Springfield Office at 8348 Traford Lane, Suite 400. The Gartlan Center has limited emergency services hours.  Round-the-clock, walk-in emergency services are provided at the Woodburn Center at 3340 Woodburn Road in Annandale.

For routine appointments (at any of the sites), call the main CSB entry and referral at:  703-383-8500, TTY 711.