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The holidays are often called the most wonderful time of the year, but for many, they can also be the most stressful. From financial strain to feelings of loneliness and grief, mental health struggles often spike this time of year.

“Holidays are certainly festive, joyous, happy, but can bring up a lot of other emotions,” said Dr. Kelly Causey, deputy commissioner with Colorado’s Behavioral Health Administration. “There can be a lot of stress this time of year. There’s financial stress, maybe some family conflicts. You might be sad and grieving someone who isn’t with us this year for the holidays.”

Causey says those feelings are normal, even when the world seems full of cheer. 

“What’s misunderstood is that everybody feels lots of different emotions in the holidays, that it’s okay, that it isn’t perfect, that it’s okay to feel sad, even when other people are happy,” she said.

To help, Colorado has built a safety net of resources, including the state’s 988 Mental Health Lifeline. The free, confidential service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Anyone can call or text 988 or use the live chat function.

“It is not going to be closed for the holidays,” Causey said. “If you’re struggling, if you’re overwhelmed, 988 is there for you, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Doesn’t matter what holiday it is. If it’s just a typical Monday, it doesn’t matter.”

Last year, Coloradans turned to 988 for support with over 94,000 calls, plus thousands of texts and chats. That’s a 15% increase from the year before. 

And when you reach out, Causey says you’ll connect with a real person. 

“You will have somebody that answers that call and that chat and that text, and they can do it in lots of different languages,” she explained.

Also, 988 isn’t just for those in crisis. 

“We can also call 988 and ask for help and see what we could do to help our friend or a family member who’s feeling overwhelmed, too,” Causey said.

During a season built around togetherness, Colorado wants to make sure everyone knows — you’re not alone:

• 988 Colorado Mental Health Line: Call or text 988, or use live chat. Free, confidential, available 24/7 in English, Spanish and 240+ languages.
• Colorado LIFTS: Connects individuals and families to mental health, substance use and crisis support statewide.
• Health First Colorado: Medicaid members qualify for behavioral health services at no cost. Call 303-839-2120 or 888-367-6557.
• I Matter Colorado: Free therapy for youth 18 and under (21 if in special education). Services in English and Spanish.
• Lift The Label: Campaign to reduce stigma around addiction and connect people to treatment; available in English and Spanish.
• CRAFT: Free support for families helping loved ones with addiction.
• Tough as a Mother: Connects pregnant and parenting people to treatment and recovery support.

For some, the holiday season means packing their bags to spend time with loved ones, some of whom are half a world away.

The St. John’s International Airport, located in the city’s east end, was busy on Christmas Eve as people were arriving at their destination and catching flights.

Curtis Collier, who landed at the airport in the morning, said he’s looking forward to his mother’s home cooked meals and having turkey dinner on Christmas Day.

He added his mother’s family has Polish-Ukrainian roots so she makes perogies and cabbage rolls on Christmas Eve.

“It feels great to be home, I haven’t been here since October so I’m very much looking forward to seeing my family and friends,” Collier told CBC News.

Marion and Dave Osborne were at the airport to catch a flight to Halifax so they could join their daughter and grandchildren for the holidays.

She said the grandchildren are “very, very excited” to see them, with Dave Osborne adding when they visited in October “the first words they asked — ‘You’re coming back for Christmas?’ So that would give you an indication.”

She said it is a relief that the weather was clear too, so there would be no travel delays.

“I was so upset, thinking I wasn’t going to get there. It would have ruined our Christmas.”

Rome for the holidays

Martin O’Driscoll was at the airport to begin the first leg of his journey that will bring him to Rome, where he will be visiting his brother’s family.

He’s looking forward to seeing his young niece and nephew, adding he saw them in Paris last year.

“They’re so happy to see me. I’m so happy to see them. It brings joy to my life,” said O’Driscoll.

It was also “fantastic” to start the first leg of his long journey on time with no delays, he said.

“As you know about Newfoundland weather, it’s unpredictable. So I’ve been the victim of several cancellations and postponements,” said O’Driscoll.

“I’m very grateful to be getting out today.”

He expects to arrive in Rome at 9 a.m. on Christmas morning.

O’Driscoll said people travelling on the holidays tend to be in a “jolly mood” and while airport staff are still working they exude a certain joy.

Gabriella Walsh and Benjamen Bragg, along with their small dog Winnie, started their day in Halifax before landing in St. John’s.

Walsh said her family lives on Newfoundland’s southern shore, so they’re headed to Kingman’s Cove for the holidays.

“We’re really excited to go do that. And we always have a big Boxing Day party, so I’ll get to see all my family,” she said.

Bragg said he’s also looking forward to spending time with friends and family.

Walsh said they “lucked out for sure” when it came to travel weather.

“We were really worried. We’re always really worried, travelling around this time of year, you never know with delays,” she said.

Bragg added he gives a “sigh of relief” when they can sit down in their plane seats.

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