Not everyone feels loved on Valentine’s Day.
Though there isn’t much data when it comes to depression and suicide rates during holidays like Valentine’s Day, the Union County Mental Health and Recovery Board (MHRB) is still concerned about people’s mental health during the holidays. MHRB special projects coordinator Carmen Irving said the board seeks to help draw attention to seasonal-based depression that hits around holidays in the winter.
“Valentine’s Day is much like our other holidays… it’s that disconnect between what society says is normal and what are our personal experiences,” Irving said. “What we at the MHRB really want to do is to draw attention to those signs and symptoms of depression and remind people of what they can do about that.”
Irving said this time of year is still a part of the “winter blues,” where seasonal affective disorder (SAD) causes depression because of the shorter days.
She said SAD, along with unrealistic expectations for what Valentine’s Day and other holidays provide, can “evoke a certain set of feelings” like depression.
“Those feelings are very real for people and we don’t want to see anyone left in a lurch,” Irving said. “If someone is suspicious they’re struggling with depression or if they aren’t clear if this is ongoing depression or if this is some sort of mood, we certainly want them to have access to care.”
Stepping-up project coordinator Mackenzie Yonek said there are ways to curb one’s depression during Valentine’s Day. One of them is keeping a good perspective on the event.
“Valentine’s Day is just a day,” Yonek said. “We often have expectations of what Valentine’s Day should look like, but keep in mind this isn’t even an official holiday. It’s just a day when people like to show love.”
Yonek said some good ways to burn off those sad thoughts involves “giving the love” by doing a good deed for someone else.
“If you feel like you really want to embrace Valentine’s Day, put that love toward someone else,” she said. “Do something nice for someone.”
She also said keeping one’s mind in the present helps out. This involves not thinking about failed relationships in the past or what one’s relationship future is going to look like.
Yonek and Irving also recommended exercise, or anything one would enjoy.
Irving said the MHRB and Maryhaven uses the screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment tool, which allows a clinician to detect any signs of depression or feelings of crisis.
Yonek said the signs of depression include having a lack of interest in activities one normally enjoys, a weight gain or loss that’s not due to diet or attempts to change weight, sleeping too much or not enough with no control and having thoughts of guilt and lack of self worth. She said depression can be detected if these symptoms persist for more than two weeks.
Yonek and Irving both encourage those who are feeling the signs of depression to visit the MHRB or Maryhaven for help. Maryhaven can be reached by calling 937-644-9192.