Blue Christmas more than a song around the holidays
Christmas is traditionally a time for celebration but according to one local doctor, it can be a stressful time of year causing the ‘Christmas Blues’.
Wayne Schlapkohl, a psychologist with the Battleford Mental Health Centre feels that along with money problems, family conflicts, and loss of a loved one, many times expectations are a main trigger that can turn the joyous season into one of sadness and isolation.
“I have two schools of thought on the so-called Christmas Blues. First, we have such high expectations at Christmas that we should be happy because we are with family or we have time off but for some reason it doesn’t happen. That can often be frustrating,” Schlapkohl said. “And then sometimes we get so wrapped up in all the preparations whether it be getting the shopping done, baking, decorating the house that it sometimes gets overwhelming.”
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague of all ages, educational and income levels and cultures. Twenty per cent of Canadian will personally experience a mental illness in their lifetime and eight per cent of adults will experience major depression at some point in their life according to Schlapkohl.