Using TeleHealth to Stay on Track During the Holidays
by Katie Englert, LPCC-S, BC-TMH, President, Compass Counseling
It is no secret that the holidays can be difficult to deal with. Although some people have visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, for others the holidays are a time of stress and worry. Add a mental health diagnosis and a pandemic to the mix, and staying healthy via telehealth appointments is imperative.
Special Holiday Worries
Along with the panic and anxiety that often cause people to seek mental health help, the holidays add a layer of difficulty for a variety of reasons.
Seeing family: Even though Hallmark would have you believe every family gathering is perfect, holidays can bring out the worst in families. From fighting over politics or how to cook the turkey, to more serious worries about past hurts, the holidays can be very stressful.
Missing family: Along with seeing family members that you might not jive with, comes missing people that are no longer with you or that you cannot gather with during this time. Whether this is the first holiday without a loved one or the twentieth, holidays make missing someone more intense, and bring emotions to the forefront.
How to deal with the pandemic surge: This holiday season will be especially difficult on mental health as the pandemic surges. Families need to decide whether or not to get together, how far to extend the invitation, and even how far apart to sit at dinner!
Keeping your Mental Health Appointments
Sticking with a prescribed mental health regime will keep you on track during the holidays. The National Alliance on Mental Illness cautions “Do not cancel your therapy sessions to make time for other activities. The holidays can bring up difficult emotions.” Because of the reasons listed above, among others, the holidays are a time when you should keep your appointments, not avoid them. NAMI also challenges people to maintain mindfulness throughout the season, as well as to avoid the lure of alcohol that is more prevalent during the holidays. Mindfulness will help; alcohol won’t.
How Telehealth Can Help
In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it can be difficult to make it in to see your medical health care provider. But on the flip side, the holidays are a time of year when it is essential that you do. Telehealth can help you bridge the gap between your busy holiday schedule and your need to treat your mental health. There are several reasons for this:
Telehealth reaches more people, especially those that are in rural areas. Meeting a therapist in your living room on a live video call offers a lot more access to care. Also, at Christmas time a lot of retail workers work longer hours, and may have trouble making it into a traditional appointment slot in an office.
Telehealth cuts down on wait times to get into an office for an appointment. Walden University, Education for Good explains that “Patients can wait an average of 25 days to see a mental health professional after making an appointment.” Especially during the holidays, waiting that long is simply not an option.
An appointment via telehealth reduces the stigma, especially when everyone else around you seems happy. Many patients do not want to be seen in a psychologist’s office, particularly around the holidays.
Continuing the protocol of care you have previously established with a medical provider is very important, especially at a more stressful time of year.
Using Telehealth is a great way to continue therapy, and take care of your mental health during the holidays. With continued appointments made possible by Telehealth, you will be able to enjoy more a wonderful time of the year.
Check out our other posts on Telehealth at Compass Counseling.
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