Help Available For The “Holiday Blues”

Through a partnership with the local mental health authority, Bluebonnet Trails Community Services, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office established a Crisis Intervention program in 2013. Detective Jeremy Castleberry is the Investigator assigned to the CIT program and he assists deputies and local police departments in calls and cases involving mental health issues and tries to connect individuals with mental health resources and services. Castleberry also instructs courses for our deputies and other agencies on Crisis Intervention to try and improve the response and handling of these cases.

While the idea that suicides occur more frequently during the holiday season is an often repeated myth, the holidays can be a stressful time for many people, increasing feelings of grief, loneliness, social anxiety and other issues abound.

While the “Holiday Blues” are different from a mental health condition it’s important to take even short term mental health problems seriously as they can often lead to more long term problems such as clinical anxiety and depression.

People already living with mental illness are often affected. Individuals, families and friends should know symptoms and watch out for each other. 64% of people living with a mental health condition report worsening of their conditions during the holiday season.

Remember, in the often overwhelming busyness of the holiday season, to make some time for self-care and to reach out for help if you feel you need it, from your family Doctor or other private providers, local mental health authority, emergency services, or crisis hotlines. There are people and services out there who want to work with you to get whatever help you may need.

Bluebonnet Trails Community Services is the local mental health authority serving Fayette, Bastrop, Lee, Burnet, Caldwell, Gonzales, Guadalupe, and Williamson counties. Their 24 hour hotline number is: (800) 8411255. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 9-8-8 (TTY: use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 9-8-8). Crisis text line: text 741741, free 24/7. Veterans Crisis Line: 9-8-8, press 1.