"The Dyker Heights houses are lit up, the neighborhood dive bars are at peak kitsch - and the therapists are booked. "I always joke that this is the marathon season for therapists," said Kim Hertz, a licensed clinical social worker who runs New York Therapy Practice. " Holidays can be really triggering for people, very dysregulating." For many New Yorkers, the holidays are a time for joy and relaxation."
"People who already have a mental health diagnosis are more likely to get the holiday blues. A survey conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness found more than 60% of respondents with mental health diagnoses said the holidays made their conditions worse. Maintaining your mental health during the holidays has been a hot topic of conversation at the Phoenix House Clubhouse, a community center in Harlem that serves people with serious mental illnesses, said Savannah L"
Holiday season brings visible celebrations and increased demand for mental health care, with clinicians reporting higher booking. The period triggers stress, anxiety, and depression for many, fueled by financial strain, gift-giving pressures, grief over absent loved ones, and fraught family interactions. Disrupted routines, including sleep and self-care, further destabilize emotional regulation while end-of-year work demands add pressure. People with preexisting mental health diagnoses face greater risk of symptom worsening, with surveys reporting over 60% experiencing decline. Community centers and clinics prioritize coping strategies and routine maintenance to help manage seasonal mental health challenges.
Read at Gothamist
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