12/18/2023

All About Accessibility: Handling Holiday Overwhelm

Message from the Ohio Dept. of Mental Health & Addiction Services and Ohio Dept. of Health

For many, the holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but for some, the stretch from Thanksgiving to the New Year is not always the most wonderful time of the year. High expectations, loneliness, and stress can lead to being overwhelmed. That’s why the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health, this month unveiled a new round of public service messages urging Ohioans to “Check in on Yourself.” 

“Stress is a normal part of life. In most cases the symptoms are temporary, but they can quickly snowball into something more serious if they last for more than two weeks,” said Dr. Justin Trevino, OhioMHAS medical director. “Knowing how to recognize the signs of stress and cope with those feelings in a healthy manner is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and others this holiday season.” 

Check in on Yourself encourages Ohioans to rate their stress level on a simple, color-coded spectrum from green (manageable) to orange (severe stress), and provides suggestions to help manage stress, including:

• Find a safe space where you can relax and be alone or spend time with someone you trust,
• Take a moment of calm – practice deep breathing exercises and other grounding techniques,
• Connect with others – find someone you trust and talk about how you’re feeling,
• Focus on accomplishing one thing at a time, and
• If you are living with grief, loss, trauma, or loneliness, gently remind yourself that as circumstances change, traditions will change as well.

“Sometimes, you or someone you know needs a bit more help. That's okay,” explained Dr. Trevino. “Anyone can call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to reach a trained specialist who can offer help and support. The easy-to-remember, three-digit number provides 24/7, free, and confidential support to Ohioans in a behavioral health crisis.”