WASHINGTON — The holiday season often brings unwelcome guests, and no we aren't talking about your in-laws.
Stress and depression often invite themselves to the table around this time of year.
According to the American Psychological Association, 38% of people say their stress increases during the holidays. Experts claim this can lead to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and substance misuse.
This year, Mayor Bowser is partnering up with the Department of Behavioral Health and the Child and Family Services Agency at the Latin American Youth Center to encourage residents to prioritize their mental health by taking advantage of free services available in the District.
“This joyous time of the year can also bring stress and anxiety as we prepare to celebrate the holidays,” said Bowser. “We want to remind District residents to mind their mental health and take advantage of the resources and services available for all residents in all eight wards to get the help they need, at the moment it is needed.”
The District offers a variety of free mental health services and resources available in-person, by phone, or online to help residents cope with any stress or anxiety that they may experience during the holiday season including:
Community-Based Behavioral Health Resources:
The Department of Behavioral Health partners with 84 community-based providers that offer treatment and recovery support services for mental health and substance use disorders. DBH certifies providers to deliver services that support individual recovery with quality, culturally competent staff in a safe facility. Providers are located across the District in all eight wards. You can view a list of community-based providers here.
Emergency Mental Health Resources:
- 988 — The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
- (888) 7WE-HELP — Mental Health Hotline
- (202) 673-6495 — The Community Response Team
Family and Youth Mental Health Resources:
For families and youth, there are several mental health resources available:
- Family Success Centers:
Managed by the Child and Family Services Agencies, the family success centers are located in Wards 5, 7, and 8 and offer activities elected by community members for mental wellness such as go-go fitness, book clubs, digital literacy classes, and more! You can view a calendar of available activities here.
- Children and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Service (ChAMPS):
Provides on-site immediate help for children facing a behavioral or mental health crisis. Access the on-call mobile emergency service 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling (202) 481-1440.
- Wellness Wednesdays Program:
The Department of Behavioral Health launched Wellness Wednesdays, an online parent support group that provides the opportunity for parents to learn about how to take care of themselves and foster resiliency for their children in these challenging times, share experiences, and ask questions of school-based clinicians and early childhood specialists. Wellness Wednesdays is offered the last Wednesday of the month via WebEx from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The next virtual session will occur on Dec. 28 and will focus on the importance of family rituals.
Parents can join by computer, tablet, or smartphone by clicking on the updated WebEx link for English using the password WW20 and for Spanish using the password SPWW20.
Parents can also call into the session by calling the toll-free number: 1-650-479-3208 or the local number 1-202-860-2110 with the access code: 172 620 4243.
- Urgent Care Clinic for Children and Youth
821 Howard Road SE
(202) 698-1838
- Urgent Care Clinic for Adults
35 K Street NE
(202) 442-4202
- DC Prevention Centers: The prevention centers are located throughout the city serving residents in 120 neighborhoods and all eight wards. The centers focus on building collaborations and partnerships within the wards and promoting healthy drug-free living. This includes substance abuse education, and engaging youth and families to take action to reduce the risks and use of ATOD, and addressing local conditions and elements that lead to substance abuse. To connect with a staff member, you can contact the following phone numbers below based on each ward designation:
Wards 1 & 2 Prevention Center: (202) 319-3085
1419 Columbia Road NW, Washington, DC, 20009
Hours of Operation: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wards 3 & 4 Prevention Center: (202) 319-3085
5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC 20015
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wards 5 & 6 Prevention Center: (202) 543-5796
1022 Maryland Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wards 7 & 8 Prevention Center: (202) 388-3001
3939 Benning Road NE, Washington, DC 20019
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Self-Care Strategies:
Residents can follow these strategies to maintain their mental health:
- Having an attitude of gratitude
- Eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep
- Exercising and staying active.
- Visiting family and loved ones
- Volunteering and community service
- Checking on your neighbors and those in need
“We should all pay attention to our mental health during this time of increased stress. Self-care is essential to mental wellness,” said Dr. Barbara J. Bazron, Director of the Department of Behavioral Health. “If you need additional support, you can call us anytime and talk with a trained mental health specialist.”
Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information on other healthy ways to cope with stress around the holidays.
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