The holiday season is a season of many things; a season of hope and goodwill, a season of giving. But for many, the holiday season is a season of struggles and personal trial. Fighting depression during the holiday season is something that numerous people struggle with. According to Mental Health America (formally known as the National Mental Health Association) there are a plethora of things that can cause the “holiday blues”, ranging from finances to unrealistic expectations. Furthermore, it is not unheard of to develop post-holiday letdown preceding January 1. For those of us who battle with depression in and out of the holiday season, here are some tips to help you cope and maybe conquer your struggle.

1) Do not feel alone, because you are not. According to the World Health Organization, 121 million people worldwide suffer from depression. And according to the National Institute of Mental Health 18 million of these cases are happening in the United States.

2) Just because a family member or friend is depressed, doesn’t mean you have to be. “If you know someone who is depressed, it affects you too” -NIMH Although it may seem difficult at times, just because some one you know is depressed doesn’t mean you have to be depressed with them, enjoy the holiday festivities. Be a friend to that person you know, and advise them to seek help, but be cautious to the slippery slope that a depressed loved one can bring you down to.

3) Your age does not need to determine your happiness. “Although they comprise only 12 percent of the U.S. population, people age 65 and older accounted for 16 percent of suicide deaths in 2004.” -NIMH If you are older and struggle with depression try and remember that you are in your golden years, this is where you can begin to enjoy life, if you are younger keep in mind that you’ve got your life ahead of you. Regardless of age, you determine your happiness.

4) The holiday season is a time for joy and festivities. Remember that although the holiday season may be hard for you, Its generally a time of good will, peace, and charity. One of the best ways to beat the depression, is to help someone else conquer their holiday blues. In most cities there are plenty of charity and volunteer work for you to be a part of, and these events and organizations can be found by keeping up with your local newspaper or by surfing the internet (using keywords like “volunteer” and “charities”).

5) Seek help before it gets severe. The best way to deal with depression is to catch it before it becomes severe. Even if its only minor depression, it could become severe over time or it may be linked to a larger personality disorder. If you are in a critically depressed or in crisis, call a friend or a loved one to be around immediately and or call 911 and seek emergency assistance.

Depression isn’t something new, its been around as long as humans have. Don’t let yourself become a victim to depression, especially during the beautiful holiday season. For further information on depression and how to handle it go to; www.nih.gov search keyword “depression”, www.twloha.com, or contact your doctor or a medical expert.