24 November, 2021
Navigating the holiday season this year may reveal that you or your loved ones are experiencing challenges with mental health. We at Hopkinton Youth & Family Services note that many of us are carrying difficult feelings or experiences at this time of year, alongside all the happiness that is hoped for or seemingly experienced all around us.
Feelings not limited to the following:
Increased stress brought on by all the expectations tied to the holiday season
Disappointment that the pandemic continues to play a role in feelings of safety and ability to gather as freely as we might like
The strain of an academic semester that either took too much strength to get through, or maybe that did not turn out as expected
Feelings of agitation, sadness, wavering energy, and decreased motivation
Worry over seeing relatives or friends and experiencing judgement or rejection
Concern about your own or someone else’s use of substances (alcohol, marijuana, nicotine or other drugs)
If feelings like this have been persistent and/or you want to learn more about how you or a loved one is doing, FREE and CONFIDENTIAL online Behavioral Health Screenings are available in both English and Spanish. To take a screen and receive resource recommendations, and for more information visit: https://screening.mentalhealthscreening.org/HYFS
We encourage you to share this link with loved ones, friends, and to explore these screens yourself. The behavioral health screenings are provided for informational purposes only, and do not intend to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
You are not alone. We are all in this together. Other resources that can help:
Interface Helpline (to assist in finding an outpatient mental health provider)
Advocates Psychiatric Emergency Response (if you are experiencing a mental health or emotional health crisis)
HYFS Resource Page (to aid with access to behavioral health resources and for information on our program)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 1-800-273-8255 http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Call2Talk is a confidential mental health and emotional support call line that assists individuals and families through stressful times in their lives, helping the despondent and those who may be suicidal. A text line is also available. HELPLINE: 2-1-1 OR (508) 532-2255 https://www.uwotc.org/call2talk
