Holiday Depression and Suicide

To someone in a depression, the “joy” and “cheer” of the holiday and New Year’s season can be devastating. Watching families celebrating can remind others of the lack or loss of “family” in their lives. Being surrounded by the commercial pressures to buy gifts can be suffocating and overwhelming for someone living on government assistance or a very limited income. The religiousness of the season can invoke deep feelings of guilt and hopelessness in someone already drowning in feeling worthless.