Happy Holidays from CMHA

Please note that our office will be closed on the following days: December 25th, 26th and January 1st.

For support during the holiday season, contact:

• 1-800-340-3003 in Timmins
• 1-888-665-8888 across the District of Timiskaming

Here are some helpful tips for maintaining your mental health this holiday season:

• Set realistic expectations about what you can accomplish over the holiday season. Try to establish some balance between what you do for others and what you do for yourself.
• If spending time with family is stressful for you, set limits on the amount of time you spend with them.
• Consider sharing the holiday meal preparations with friends and family to ease the load.
• Holidays can bring up feelings of loss and a sense of being alone and disconnected. If you have a friend or family member you can talk to, try to spend some time with them or connect with them on the telephone.
• Some religious organizations or groups have special services you can attend for people who are alone during the holidays. This can be a good opportunity to talk to others and meet new friends.
• The holidays can be a tempting time to overuse alcohol and other substances in order to relax. For someone with a substance use problem, this can be a particularly difficult time with all of the socialising that occurs and because our society promotes the use of substances at these times. Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines can help people reduce the harms related to alcohol use.
• Volunteer. Food banks and other organizations often need help at this time of year. This is also a good way to meet new friends and help those in need.
• Give yourself permission to feel any sense of loss or emotions that can surface during the holiday season.
• Do something enjoyable for yourself. See a holiday movie or treat yourself to a new book.