Happiest Time of the Year…Or Is It?

We've all heard the Christmas song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by Andy Williams. Being that the holidays are in full swing, I'm sure it's one of many you'll hear over and over again, whether on the radio while you're driving or in the shopping mall looking for last-minute gifts. The song sticks with you, and you can't get it out of your head—even when you seem to be overstressed and in a bah humbug mood.

No judgment with regard to the mood, Christmas and the holiday season as a whole are stressful. It's also an emotionally challenging time for people. With the current economic situation it can be downright depressing, even for those who have a great deal for which to be grateful.

Depression hits us when we least expect it, and the holidays can trigger some deeply rooted emotions which we've yet to deal with, admit to or let go of. A few people have good external reasons to be depressed. Let me share an example: a true story that was shared with me this morning.

A family with four young children just used its savings to move from a two-bedroom apartment into a four-bedroom, two-bath apartment with the intention that they can provide a more comfortable living situation for the children. It's nothing extravagant and both parents are employed, so the leap of faith was taken.

The wife left to spend the last few days with her dying brother. She came home grateful for what she had, which wasn't much. But she had her children, husband and job. Within a week of returning and moving into their new apartment, both she and her husband lost their jobs. Now, just a few weeks before Christmas, they have no income and virtually no savings, and they're looking at not being able to make the rent at the first of the month.

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Depression: What’s Your Role?

It can be heartbreaking to see someone you love or care about crumble under depression. Often depressed people tend to withdraw from their own loved ones, thus making it even more difficult for friends and family to reach out to them. If you know someone who is depressed and want to do whatever you can to help him, you need to first ask yourself a few key questions. Does he want help? Does he even know he’s depressed? What role do I want to play in his healing journey? In addition to the following suggestions, you will want to do some research of your own to ensure you have the tools necessary to handle whatever may result from your stepping in; as with any illness, your role may be to simply recommend an independent support and not actively play a role. For your convenience, I’ve included a few recommended resources at the bottom of this article.

If you feel as though you must do something, then you need to ask yourself one final question: “What is my true motivation for needing to help?” If it is anything other than standing and showing your unconditional love for a friend, then directing that friend to professional help will be necessary. So now that you’ve worked through all the questions and your final answer is still, “I love my friend dearly and just want to make sure she knows I am here without judgment,” here are a few suggestions.

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