5 Things The Mentally Ill would appreciate this Christmas

For those challenged with mental illness, Christmas may be a difficult time for some. Symptoms may be more acute and the mentally ill can feel even more isolated at a time when there seems to be a lot of merriment and cheer going on.

We can reach out to those challenged with mental illness and make them feel inclusive.

#1  Remember To Send A Christmas Card

Even if they are in hospital or ill, or not in a position where they are necessarily lucid, the gesture of a card can go a long way, especially when they recover. It is nice to know who thought of you when you were going through the valley.

#2  Ring On Christmas Day

If you are not in a position to invite them round for Christmas (especially if they live alone), a phone call speaks volumes. Someone singing Merry Christmas may be the lifeline they need. Don’t think someone else will do it. Be the one to show that kind gesture.

#3  Can You Be Father Christmas?

The Bible tells us it is more blessed to give than to receive. You may have tons of presents under the tree waiting to be excitedly unravelled! Maybe they do or don’t.  Receiving a gift from someone who usually does not send them a pressie would be one of their best gifts of all times. It is not the cost of the gift but the heart behind it. Even if a box of chocolates.

Please remember to treat them with dignity and not give them something you are trying to get rid off. Handle with care!

#4  Ask How They Are Spending Christmas

You may feel you don’t want to ask because you don’t want to ‘burdened’ with long sob stories that will make affect your seasonal mood. However remember, Christmas is a time of goodwill to all people!

As Christians, Christmas reminds us that this was the time that God gave the world His ultimate Gift by sending us Jesus to be born in humanity with the purpose to suffer a ghastly death. This selfless act of God should propel us to step outside our closets this Christmas and ‘love our neighbor’.

Are they getting professional help? Are they on medication and if so do they have their prescirptions up to date? Are they spending Christmas with family? On their own? Do they need a ride to Church on Christmas Sunday? Do they need a hand with buying basic things? Depending on the country or where you live, there may be no shops open on Christmas Day or any public transports running.

#5  Can You Lend An Ear?

With all the excitement going on, Christmas can be a painful time for some as they either reflect on ‘tragedies’ of the year or Christmas serves as a ‘painful reminder’ of a loss or some traumatic event.

In the build up to Christmas can you be a listening ear to someone not getting the Christmas spirit? Calling them a Bah Hamburg is of no use and may be touching a raw nerve!

Of course, your time is precious, and you can and must draw boundaries. But lets do so with dignity and respect and ensure that we still follow up. Or encourage them to see their pastor, counsellor and get professional help.

From all of us at DMI, we wish you a joyful Christmas!

About The Author

Zoe

Zoe met Eze (Chuck) in the 14th year of what turned out to be an 18 year ‘journey’ with mental illness. They got married less than a year of meeting with Zoe fully knowing Chuck had a diagnosis of mental illness. In the 18th year, Chuck defied the odds of mental illness. A consultant psychiatrist signed him off the mental health system with a bill of NO MENTAL ILLNESS. The consultant was so amazed by Chuck’s astonishing recovery that he even questioned how Chuck was diagnosed with mental illness all those years before, in the first place! Today Chuck is free from medication, its dependency and hospitalizations. Zoe’s award nominated book, DEFYING THE ODDS, chronicles the highs and ‘lows’ of this journey. Zoe, often writing from the standpoint of a caregiver, clearly understands that mental illness does not only affect an individual challenged with the disease, but also families, marriages and society as a whole.

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