Coping with the Approaching Holiday Season

With the arrival of November, festive decorations lining the store shelves and snow soon to fall, this issue of Family Mental Health Initiative's E-Notice will provide a few articles on related topics of coping with stress, depression, grief and loss during the upcoming holiday season.

Stress, Depression and the Holidays: Coping Tips

The holiday season often brings unwelcome guests — stress and depression. And it’s no wonder. The holidays present a dizzying array of demands — parties, shopping, baking, cleaning and entertaining, to name just a few.

But with some practical tips, you can minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays. You may even end up enjoying the holidays more than you thought you would.

Read full article here

Supporting a Loved One with Eating Disorder During the Holiday Season

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) list of ideas to support someone you know with eating disorder during the holiday's. See article here

Grieving

Loss is one of life’s most stressful events. It takes time to heal, and everyone responds differently. We may need help to cope with the changes in our lives. Grief is part of being human, but that doesn’t mean we have to go through the journey alone.

Read full article here

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you're like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer.

For more information about Seasonal Affective Disorder click here

Supporting a Loved One

When someone you love has been diagnosed with a mental illness, you feel a mixture of emotions. Concern, compassion, disbelief, anger, relief, anxiety, grief, love, guilt…any and all of these emotions are understandable and normal.

View the Canadian Mental Health Association's fact sheet "Supporting a Loved One" here

Barrie Family Support Group

Canadian Mental Health Association of Simcoe County offers a support group designed for family members and friends of persons with a mental illness and/or substance issue. Barrie Family Support Group Date: Second Tuesday of every month (except July & August) Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm Location: 21 Bradford St., Barrie (Boardroom at Canadian Mental Health Association of Simcoe County) For more …

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E-Notices

Number of FMHI's E-Notice Subscribers: *Some organizations/companies have firewalls that are preventing the e-notice from being received to emails. You may find your personal email will allow the e-notices to open. Older E-Notices:

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Resources

If you are interested in receiving one of the kits available, please print and complete the order form and mail or fax to FMHI attention Tara Maxwell fax: 705-719-0908 

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Links

Are you looking for other organizations and resources? Here is a list of organizations within Simcoe County, Muskoka Region, Ontario and across Canada. If you have questions regarding services from another organization, please contact them directly, thank you. 

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Crisis Service

The Simcoe County and Muskoka Addiction & Mental Health Crisis Line is for youth and adults. Crisis Services offers individualized support to assist the person in the resolution of the emotional and personal crisis. Telephone, mobile and residential crisis services are available. 705-728-5044 / 1-888-893-8333 

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Family Mental Health Initiative of Simcoe County

4 Checkley St., Barrie ON L4N 1W1

705-725-0363 / 1-800-324-3252

fmhi.ca