Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds

By Jill Sperling

Blue Christmas

How to keep yourself mentally healthy over the holidays

Dec 2, 2019 | 4:58 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Christmas season is a joyful time for many, but for some it can bring up painful memories or feelings of anxiety.

Amy Baskin with the Canadian Mental Health Association says the focus of togetherness and connection at Christmas can be difficult for people with broken relationships or social anxieties.

She adds people can become overwhelmed with the hustle-bustle of the season.

“I think there’s this expectation that Christmas is — we all must be like this and we all must do like this and that doesn’t work for any human being, and it certainly doesn’t work if you’re struggling with your mental health,” Baskin said. “I think the biggest encouragement is, what do you want for your holidays, and how can you make that a priority.”

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Baskin says it’s important to check in with loved ones who may be struggling over the holidays.

Kamloops United Church has recognized that Christmas isn’t a happy time for everyone and hosts an annual Blue Christmas event.

“It’s a time when people can come here to the church and just sit and have a time of quiet meditation,” said Rev. Dr. Michael Caveney. “A lot of people even just use it as entering into the Christmas season. They just sort of feel rather than the parties, and all of the glitz and glamour, they can just come here and sit and reflect quietly.”

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds

The service will be held on Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m.

People will be given the opportunity to light a candle to remember loved ones they have lost.

Caveney says all are welcome to attend.

“It doesn’t matter what church you belong to,” he said, “it doesn’t even matter if you don’t believe in God, it’s just something that anybody in the community who’s experiencing loss or just wants to have a quiet entrance into the Christmas season, they can come and do that right here.”