Taking time to talk might be best gift

It’s supposed to be the season of ho-ho-ho, sleigh bells jingling and peace on Earth. But not everybody experiences the holidays as a time of cheer.

For many, for a variety of reasons, the season of joy is instead the time of holiday blues. They remember losses and grief that have occurred amid carols, decorations, parties and gifts.

For some, it’s a time when emotional lows hit bottom.

Whether they acknowledge it or not, sometimes these people need help — people we know that we don’t always recognize as needing help.

Dave McVey, a licensed professional clinical counselor with the Senior Services Program at the Dan C. Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari, lists some things to watch for — in yourself or others — that signal the need for professional help to get through the worst of holiday lows.

First, he said, look for isolation. Someone who is unusually withdrawn during the holidays might need some help.

Some have overwhelming feelings of anxiety over the holidays, he said. Some have feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness.

Others express their holiday sadness with anger.

And some will convey thoughts of suicide.

Other signs that can point to severe depression, he said, include loss of appetite and changes in sleep patterns, either sleeping not at all or too much.

The first line of defense, McVey said, is often just “to talk to somebody.”

“That,” he said, “can be very powerful.”

There are psychologists and trained counselors available who can provide assistance quickly at a variety of locations across eastern New Mexico.

Here is a list of phone numbers to reach some of them:

• Turquoise Health and Wellness hotline: 575-760-0471, regionwide.

• Mental Health Resources Hotline: 800-432-2159, regionwide.

• Mesa Counseling, Tucumcari: 575-461-6200.

• Clovis Counseling Center: 575-762-1212.

• Psychiatric Care Center, Portales: 575-226-3898

For senior citizens in Tucumcari, a counselor can be reached at the Trigg Hospital Senior Services program at 575-461-7143.

Taking time to talk with someone who’s feeling down, or suggesting ways to help, just might be the best gift you can offer this season.

Unsigned editorials are the opinion of the Clovis News Journal’s editorial board, which consists of Publisher Robert Arrowsmith and Editor David Stevens. All other views expressed on this page are those of their authors.