Millions struggle with mental health during the holidays

MIAMI VALLEY — Millions struggle with their mental health during the holiday season as friends and family get ready to gather together.

News Center 7′s Kayla McDermott spoke to Dr. Madhukar Trivedi, a psychiatry professor at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, about some warning signs to look out for at holiday gatherings.

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Over 77 million adult Americans are experiencing mental illness including 19 million with depression, according to the 2021 Mental Health in America Prevalence data.

Trivedi said the holidays are particularly hard for people who have mental illness.

“This period during the holidays may be particularly stressful because they see other people enjoying, having pleasure, fun and they are unable to experience that so they feel even more stressed,” Trivedi said.

“And people who have depression have these symptoms that go together and that lead to functional problems and that is what really is the challenge.”

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues for a second year, a lot of people are struggling.

An estimated 10 million adults in America seriously consider taking their own lives which is an increase of over 460,000 people from last year’s data set, according to the 2021 Mental Health in America Prevalence data.

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Right now, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. and an average of 130 people take their lives per day.

Trivedi said if someone you know is changing their behavior and they are not functioning like they normally do, then the best thing to do is get an opinion or counsel from a primary care provider.

If you or someone you know is struggling this holiday season there are resources to help.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org

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