December 2025

Mental Health & Recovery Services Board
22 hours ago
3 min read

Support During the Holidays

A woman in a red sweater piping icing onto a cookie cutout on a counter full of cookies in progress. A young girl in a red fair isle sweater is next to her working on a cookie. No faces are seen.

Not Everyone Feels Joy This Season

The holiday season can be hard for many people. Shorter days and less sunlight can affect mood and energy, especially for those who experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Others may feel loneliness when routines change or when they are separated from friends or family. For some, the season can also bring grief or reminders of loss.

Holiday stress is common. Busy schedules, financial pressure, and expectations to “feel joyful” can feel overwhelming. It’s okay if the holidays don’t feel joyful every day. Taking care of your mental health matters just as much as taking care of others.

Small steps can help. Stick to simple routines when you can. Get outside during daylight hours. Set realistic expectations for yourself. Give yourself permission to say no, rest, or step away when needed. Checking in on others and staying connected can also make a difference during this time of year.

You are not alone this holiday season.

Local Help Is Available

The holidays can make personal and family challenges harder to manage. Support is available in our community. You do not have to handle it alone.

The HOPEline is available 24/7 for immediate local support. Call 1-800-567-4673 (HOPE) to connect with help in Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin Counties.
The national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7. Just call or text 988. Support is free and confidential.
Notify text alerts help protect your family by sharing timely info about local health issues, drug trends, and safety concerns. Having the right information can help families make informed decisions. Sign up by texting START to 888-701-2578.
211 connects you to local services like mental health care, food assistance, housing support, and more. Call 211 or visit allen211.org.

Help is here when you need it during the holidays and all year-round.

Supporting Youth During Winter Break

Winter break can be a fun and relaxing time for students. It can also bring challenges. More free time often means more screen time, which can affect mood, sleep, and stress levels. Changes in routine during the holidays can make this harder for some kids and families.

Families can take simple steps to support healthy habits and emotional wellbeing during the break.

For elementary-aged children

Keep daily routines as steady as possible, especially sleep and meals.
Set clear limits around screen time and create screen-free moments during the day.
Encourage offline play like games, crafts, reading, or outdoor activities.
Check in often and help children name their feelings.

For middle and high school students

Talk openly about social media and how it makes them feel.
Ask what they enjoy online and what causes stress or pressure.
Set healthy boundaries around phone use, especially at night.
Watch for changes in mood, sleep, or behavior that may be signs of distress.

Online safety during the holidays

School breaks can increase online risks. Scams and sex-tortion attempts continue to rise, especially when youth spend more unsupervised time online. Remind your child not to share personal information or photos and to speak up right away if something feels uncomfortable or wrong.

Winter break does not have to be perfect to be positive. Families can help children and teens enjoy the holidays while staying healthy online with open conversations, simple boundaries, and steady support.

Three teen girls on a couch looking at a phone in interest.

Be Seen with Green on Campus

We loved seeing third-year pharmacy students at the University of Findlay wearing their new Be Seen with Green shirts. These students are studying mental health and substance use disorders as they prepare to become advocates and educators for those who need support.

We’re proud to cheer them on as they help build a more informed and compassionate community.

A group of college students in a classroom holding up green MHRSB "Be Seen with Green" shirts.

We Care Conversations

Have you listened to the MHRSB podcast yet? We've had quite a few guests on during 2025! If you want to learn more about local resources and start from the very beginning, check out the episode with MHRSB Executive Director Tammie Colon. Listen to all the episodes at wecarepeople.org/podcast!