‘Tis the Season to Be Jolly?:

Level: Beginner

Summary

According to a 2023 poll by the American Psychological Association, nearly nine in ten U.S. adults felt overwhelmed by the holidays (89%), citing stressors such as “not having enough money, missing loved ones and anticipating family conflict.”[i] And, National Alliance on Mental Health research has shown almost two-thirds of those already struggling “feel their mental health is negatively impacted by the holidays.”[ii] A CDC study likewise found an increase in depressive symptoms among 64% of those with a pre-existing mental health condition.[iii]

Whatever happened to the world where Andy Williams could sing with a straight face, It’s the most wonderful time of the year? We now live in a time when the holidays have become synonymous with anxiety and stress, with 43% of survey respondents admitting the stress of the holidays “interferes with their ability to enjoy them.”[iv]

This webinar will explore the current state of our stressed-out holidays, who is most vulnerable to the anxiety and depression distressingly prevalent during this time of the year, what are the most common trigger points, and, most importantly, what can be done to help lower the boiling point (not just for the mulled cider) for the holiday season itself.

[i] https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/11/holiday-season-stress

[ii] https://www.nami.org/from-the-ceo/the-most-difficult-time-of-the-year-mental-health-during-the-holidays/

[iii] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/scientific-mommy/202312/when-depression-mental-load-and-the-holidays-collide

[iv] Ibid.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

1. Identify the role of expectations, realistic and unrealistic, in contributing to holiday anxiety and depression.
2. Incorporate practical strategies for navigating holiday family challenges into individual treatment planning for anxiety and depression.
3. Actively reframe the holidays from an overwhelming, negative, experience through a positive, whole-person, perspective with measurable goals and individualized outcomes for anxiety and depression.

Continuing Education Statement

Approved for 2.0 ASWB and 2.0 IBCC CE Credits The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) offers some psychologists, therapists, counselors, social workers, and play therapists Continuing Education (CE) credit due to good standing with certain states and a limited number of professional organizations. It remains the responsibility of each participant to be aware of state licensure and CE requirements. Participants should check their state and/or local regulations regarding required Continuing Education hours. For more information on Light University Continuing Education programs, please visit www.lightuniversity.com/continuing-education-statements/.