Santa's stress

I often hear that society thinks more suicides happen during the holidays than any other time of the year. Guess what. That's statistically wrong. More suicides happen AFTER the holidays are over. Why you may ask? Most people try to hold it together during the holidays for the family. They don't want anyone to know how depressed, sad, and angry they are. Some will try to self-medicate to get through the holidays with a better attitude and use or abuse drugs and alcohol. Their expectations are high and the holidays with their family and loved ones doesn't meet their expectations. Or the grief over the loss of someone is harder than they thought. After the holidays they may come off their self-medicated persona and WHAM they are more depressed, sad, and angry than before. BOOM their only thought as a way to make the pain better is suicide. Yes after the New Year's celebration is over psychiatric hospitals and drug and alcohol rehabs have a huge increase in patients. How do I know this is true? From working in the mental health field for more than 10 years, from working in psychiatric hospitals and rehab facilities. I feel I must remind you of my core theory on becoming the best you can, you must take care of yourself first and foremost! How do you plan to take care of yourself through this holiday season?

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