How the holiday season may impact the mental health of Veterans

The transition back to civilian life presents each veteran with challenges. From a mental health perspective, many veterans never seek treatment for their mental and emotional health, which can lead to a disorder.  Many different things such as a news story on television, a fire alarm, or a long line at a store can trigger emotional responses and exacerbate symptoms. However, one part of the year that can be particularly difficult for Veterans is the stress of the holiday season.

With the holiday season approaching, it’s important to keep in mind that although it’s a time of year that’s festive, joyous, and filled with celebration, this isn’t always what our Veterans experience. Things like social events, parades, family gatherings, and other crowded environments can be very challenging and be sources of sensory overload. For some Veterans, the holidays can lead to intensified feelings of sadness, grief, hopelessness, and anxiety. While the bonding and spirit of the holidays can also be uplifting and beneficial for Veterans, it’s important to remain mindful of their well-being and take the necessary steps to support them as much as possible.

Below is a list of suggestions for how family and friends can help Veterans with their mental health during the holiday season.

• Schedule activities in advance and don’t try to pack too much into a day. Encourage them to participate with friends and family but respect their boundaries. 

• Offer assistance with holiday tasks. Things such as shopping, cooking, making reservations, setting up decorations, cleaning, and traveling can all increase the likelihood of feeling overwhelmed.

• Prepare family members and guests before visits. For example, there may be topics related to the past that the Veteran doesn’t wish to discuss. It would be beneficial to go over this with guests and remind them in advance.

• Pay attention to their feelings and make sure they can rest and relax in an area of comfort when needed.

• If there is going to be alcohol consumption, consider their specific history and any issues it’s created.

• Find new traditions. You may consider setting up some virtual interactions with friends and family so there are fewer visits and group settings. Or, instead of doing shopping at the busy malls and stores, look for opportunities to do more online shopping through stores and platforms like amazon.

What resources are available for Veterans to help with mental health?
 We encourage veterans to learn about the resources and support the VA provides.

Are there VA disability benefits for mental health? Just like with physical conditions and ailments, you may be entitled to disability benefits for a mental health condition that developed before, during, or after your time in service. The rating scale for these conditions goes all the way up to 100% based on the severity of the condition. Learning more about this area will help you understand the disability benefits you may be entitled to, and also introduce you to mental health care resources that are available to Veterans.  At Rep for Vets, we have helped thousands of Veterans secure VA disability benefits for their mental health impairments. (TAG LINE)