We’re talking Holiday Mental Health with NAMI Georgia Board Member Tami Brown. The holidays are not always festive for everyone. Some people struggle with family gatherings, office parties, and the constant reminder that the holidays are a marvelous time to be happy. For some, the holiday season is the complete opposite. Tami Brown, a board member with NAMI Georgia, joins us to speak about holiday mental health.
For people who thrive during the holiday season, the thought of it being a challenge for others is almost unbelievable. I asked how family and friends can assist in making the holidays more enjoyable for everyone, and Brown says that it is most important that we listen, respect others' boundaries, ask them how we can help, and understand that depression is a “real” thing.
Often, family will push back when a person says they can’t attend an event or doesn’t want to participate in a family tradition. Why is it so hard for us to accept that everyone is not in a festive mood and to accept that some folks will not want to attend events or family activities? Brown speaks about providing quality, healthy support by listening to the other person’s needs. Listen without judgment and accept that they know what works for them.
Brown explains that humans experience an array of emotions throughout a lifetime. Depression is something that we might be able to work ourselves out of in a few weeks, but if the feelings last longer, you might need professional help. She speaks about family members who recognize a difference, and can start a conversation by noting this and asking, “How can I help?”
I asked Brown how she came to work in the mental health arena, and she shared that people always came to her with their concerns, and she embraced this for her profession. She goes on to speak about her work with NAMI Georgia. The grassroots national organization provides training, education, and more for individuals, schools, and other entities.