Tips from FRONTENAC YOUTH SERVICES for child or youth mental wellness during the holidays

The holiday period can be a stressful time. This can be especially true for children and youth. As a recent Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) and Ipsos Public Affairs survey reveals, half of parents have been concerned for their child’s anxiety level and 36 per cent of parents have talked to a health professional about their child’s mental health. This time of year can bring up negative feelings for kids who have suffered a traumatic event, or it can be a renewal of grief for those who have lost loved ones. Sometimes large gatherings can cause an increase in anxiety, or exacerbate behavioural issues. The reduced sunlight and time outside during the winter can also trigger bouts of depression or seasonal affective disorder.

For families with older children, youth may be more aware of the stresses being placed on parents. It is difficult to shelter a teenager from financial stresses and difficulties of strained family relations. For a child suffering with feelings of anxiety or depression these problems can make the holidays more difficult for them and the entire family.

To help with family mental wellness this holiday season, local child and youth mental health agency, Frontenac Youth Services and Central Toronto Youth Services are providing tips that might help lessen the stress over the next couple of weeks.

1. Keep the lines of communication with your children and youth open. Make time to check in with how they are feeling and doing over the holiday period. A little one-on-one time with them can make a big difference in helping them cope.
2. Make sure everyone is eating and sleeping. Especially for your younger children, try not to vary too widely from meal times and sleeping routines. This may not be plausible all the time. But do your best. For teenagers, try to ensure they go to sleep and wake up at reasonable hours, it’s not a school day, but sleeping until 2pm and going to bed at 3 am isn’t recommended.
3. Create and manage realistic expectations. You may need to make some adjustments to your schedules and activities to support your children and youth. Not every gathering, event or activity will work well. Do what is best for your family.
4. Be open to negotiate with your youth. One hour with extended family may be manageable whereas a five-hour visit is too much and can be overwhelming.
5. Maintain healthy boundaries for yourself. It is ok to say no without guilt. Say yes when you want to, not out of obligation or to please others. Take care of your own physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
6. Before the Holidays, know your local resources in case you or your youth need mental health support. Frontenac Youth Services: 905-579-1551;
   Durham Region Crisis Response: 1-800-742-1980;
   Durham Region Central Intake: 1-888-454-6275;
   KIDS Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868.
   You can locate your nearest CMHO community mental health centre here.

For emergency or crisis support please call 911 or take your child to the nearest Emergency Department.

We would also like to encourage everyone to visit www.kidsmentalhealthcantwait.ca for more information on how to support children with mental health issues in Ontario.