The holidays can be isolating for people living with mental illness. Some of the clients receiving mental health support through the Connections Programs experience social isolation and chronic loneliness. These individuals may be without supportive family or a reliable peer group. This social barrier is often compounded by symptoms of illness and longstanding barriers to relationship building. For some clients their only trusted social connection may be the relationships they have within the Connections community.
Through our NSH Mental Health and Addictions Program (CZ) Grant, we support community access and leisure programming that compliments the clinical work. One of the funded projects is Holiday Cheer, which offers holiday events and small gifts of recognition to support an isolated person to feel connected to a community of caring. Feeling a sense of belonging and being connected to community is important to long term health and wellbeing.
“Contributing to the planning and organization of our holiday events has become tradition for a few of the Connections clients. They report great satisfaction in being able to shop for others and participate in gift giving without the personal expenses often attributed to the holiday season. These ‘elves’ feel they are part of a community of giving and this participation helps to bolster their sense of well-being during this challenging season.” – Connections staff
We are grateful this holiday season, and all year round, for our generous community of caring. Together, we are making the season brighter.
