What does Christmas mean to you? Hopefully, your thoughts will include nice food, the excitement of sharing presents and the opportunity to see family and friends. Whilst this will be a reality for some, it will remain just a dream for many. This year has seen a staggering 25 percent increase in the use of food banks which is why, this year, Active Listening Therapies swapped Christmas cards for a donation to the local Trussell Trust food bank here in Newark on Trent.
It doesn’t cost the earth to support a family
For the same price as 50 First Class stamps, we were able to fill a trolley full of soups, canned meats and fish, tinned vegetables, steamed puddings, long life juice and semi-skimmed milk, packets of ready mix pasta meals and rice, toiletries and a few treats thrown in for good measure. It was humbling experience, particularly when others were piling their trolleys full of food items which a significant proportion will exceed the use-by dates or be cast in the bin, uneaten from over indulgence.
The reality was, in financial terms it wasn’t a great deal of money, but for the people who so desperately rely on food bank services, it will be the difference between eating at Christmas… or not. The current statistics suggest that people using a food bank have increased by almost 25% from the same time last year – just let that figure sink in for a moment! Imagine if every business in the UK pledged the same amount as Active Listening Therapies did to a local food bank, the difference would be staggering.
It may be Christmas but that doesn’t make it any easier
Christmas – whilst full of good intention – can be a terribly lonely time for people struggling financially, the pressure to deliver the perfect Christmas can be overwhelming and this can be heart-breaking for excited children who don’t get the present they had wished for, or didn’t get to see the relative who was too busy to visit. It becomes even more difficult whilst dealing with the loss of a loved one; the first Christmas without that special person can be crushing. The pressure to be happy and sociable only makes things worse. Add to this the ‘perfect image’ of how Christmas should be, through print, broadcast and online streams and the result can often be denial and anger.
Suffering with a mental and emotional issue is hard at the best of times; it doesn’t get any easier during the festivities. Telling someone to cheer up / have a drink / join in / go out / be grateful is insulting. Social situations make dealing with depression or anxiety a fearful opportunity. Perhaps the best notion is to be non-judgemental and appreciative of a person’s situation – don’t put even more pressure on them.
The Samaritans are available 24/7 to talk through any immediate dark thoughts. You can reach them online at www.samaritans.org or you can call them on 116 123 for free – the number will not appear on your phone bill. Active Listening Therapies will be closed from Monday 23rd December through to Monday 06th January, however you can reach us through the contact page on the website and we can arrange for an appointment: www.activelisteningtherapies.com/contact/
The final part to this blog (which may be the last post before Christmas) is a thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last twelve months. You may be a client who has placed trust in our service, or another business in our network. Perhaps you have liked and shared our social media posts, or simply told a friend about us… whatever or whom ever you are, we are truly grateful for your support. 2020 is already lined up to be a year of positive change with not only one, but two new mental health clinics in opening in Nottingham.
Just remember it IS OKAY to feel emotionally and mentally challenged this Christmas – don’t force the festive if you don’t want to. But don’t forget, you have smashed 2019, so give yourself some credit.
Louise & Duncan | Directors: Active Listening Therapies