MANILA, Philippines – Christmas and New Year are often described as festive, with families and friends reuniting and catching up after months of work and routine. But for some, the holidays bring stress.

In a report released by the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, December 29, the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) received 675 calls since December 21.

Most frequent callers, the DOH said, are those aged 18 to 30. It added that the majority of the callers are female.

The most common reason for reaching out was symptoms of anxiety or depression, followed by relationship issues and family problems.

Clinical psychologist Rea Villa shared that she has a surge of patients — many of which were first-time patients — during the holidays.

“From a [psychologist’s] perspective, ‘yung holidays kasi amplify what we call emotional load. So, ito, combination kasi ‘yung emotional load ng pressure, expectations, responsibilities, and actually, mga unresolved emotions,” Villa told Rappler.

(From a psychologist’s perspective, holidays amplify what we call emotional load – it is a combination of pressure, expectations, responsibilities, and unresolved emotions.)

Factors affecting mental health

Villa said there are several factors that affect a person’s mental health: psychological, social, economic, and biological.

Psychological factors include unresolved grief and past trauma. Some social factors, meanwhile, are family conflict and receiving unsolicited comments.

Financial constraints and gift-giving pressure fall under economic factors.

Biological factors such as disrupted sleep, increased alcohol consumption, and lack of routine also affect mental health.

“‘Yung mental health [issue] kasi in general is never caused by just one thing; interaction siya ng stressors without enough emotional recovery,” Villa said.

(A mental health issue, in general, is never caused by just one thing; but by an interaction of stressors without enough emotional recovery.)

Addressing mental health concerns

If a person is already experiencing a toll on their mental health, Villa said the first step is to acknowledge the feeling.

“It’s always good to ask why. Bakit ka nalulungkot? Are there reasons for it or ano kaya ‘yun? Introspection ‘yung kailangan, like a deep reflection of yourself and what’s happening would help a lot,” she said.

(Why are you sad? Are there reasons for it, what are those? We need introspection, like a deep reflection of yourself and what’s happening would help a lot.)

Villa said it would also help to have safe social support.

Social support means having people you can lean on and who make you feel heard.

A person should also have coping mechanisms that can help soothe them when they feel overwhelmed.

Among the coping mechanisms are journaling, meditating, and going out with friends.

Villa said coping mechanisms vary, depending on the person’s preference.

But when feelings of hopelessness or thoughts of self-harm intensify, they should immediately seek help.

Those struggling with their mental health may call the NCMH Crisis Hotline at 1553.

Villa further advised the public to be conscious and sensitive of their words and actions as it may be hurtful for others.

“[The] holiday season doesn’t need to be emotionally perfect to be meaningful. Sometimes, choosing being gentle, being kind, having that support is the healthiest way to honor the season and to honor yourself,” she said.

As the New Year approaches, Villa urged people to be kinder to themselves, move at their own pace, let go of what drained them, and carry forward what helped them survive — as they prepare mentally for the year ahead. – Rappler.com