In 2014 64% of people with mental illness report holidays make their conditions worse
Arlington, Va.—High expectations, loneliness and stress can lead to the “Holiday Blues” during the season from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. In most cases symptoms are temporary, but they can be serious if they last for more than two weeks, leading to clinical anxiety and/or depression.
According to a recent survey, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that approximately 24% of people with a diagnosed mental illness find that the holidays make their condition “a lot” worse and 40% “somewhat” worse.
(This interview was conducted with a young Jamaican male of 23 to demonstrate his take on holidays and his mental health, Some responses have been adjusted to improve readability)
How do you view mental health?
I view mental health as our psychological, emotional, and social well-being. It is what determines how we feel, think, treat ourselves, treat others, cope with stress, and behave each day.
How do you stay stress-free during the holidays?
Play football, listen to music, take a walk, and other coping mechanisms. It’s harder for me to stay stress-free now, but it is not only the fact that it’s the holiday season, just bad timing.
What factors contribute to your decline or improved mental conditions?
Having a tertiary level education, and struggling with unemployment for a very long time, despite trying over 120 ways out. Hearing people say “guh look work” when I express how I’m feeling about my situation.
Not having money to carry out daily expenses and necessities.
Verbal and psychological abuse growing up.
Lack of appreciation, lack of support, and the constant negativity, despite my achievements in life. Hearing words like “nobody asked” whenever I try to express my pain
In your opinion, do you think mental health should be regarded differently based on sex? Give a reason for your answer
Yes. Some things that affect both genders, but some things that affect one side more. Some types of mental health disorders are more common in females, while some are more common in males. Bringing awareness to what it's like and then addressing it from there is a good way to go about it.
Why do you think mental health, particularly in males, is disregarded by the public?
I think males mental health is disregarded by the public because of society and social standards. Growing up, men are fed this “false idea” that we should be tough enough to fix all our problems. We were taught that it's normal for women to cry or feel sad, but if a man does it he’s seen as weak.
Do you believe men are silent sufferers? Give reasons for this
Yes, they are. Toxic masculinity has caused men to experience shame and guilt whenever they are faced with mental health issues. As a result, they go around hiding it to avoid that shame or guilt. On average, men have a harder time establishing deep social connections, as a result, they are way less willing to ask for help. It’s taught in songs, movies, classrooms, social gatherings and other things that we shouldn’t show emotions. Whenever a guy cries or goes through depression he’s called derogatory names, especially in Jamaica, or he’s referred to as a “girl”, or you hear the overused phrase: “man up” or “stop bitching about it”
It is a known fact that suicide rate and substance abuse are much higher in men, I believe that happens because men try to bottle up their pain, in some situations they have no choice, now when the bottle gets full, there are limited ways to release that, instead of coming off as “weak” to society, they turn to substance abuse, become overly aggressive, or end their own lives.
How do you think individuals should move forward in dealing with the mental health of males?
Raise awareness about mental health overall and provide details about how it affects males.
Be a non-judgmental and a good listener to at least one male that you know. They’re all going through troubles. Some of them are willing to communicate, but they don’t because they fear judgment. Show them that you are different from the rest of society.
Any tips for males during this holiday season
Don’t be pressured into spending more money than you have. Stick within your budget, the persons who mean the most to you should be able to understand.
If you find yourself going down the substance abuse road, please reconsider, there are better ways to handle the pressure or pain that you’re experiencing during these times.
Verbalize how you feel to someone who’d listen to you, don’t try and hold too much in. Laugh with the people you care about, don’t take life too seriously.
pretty great blog, appreciate the time put into publishing