Supporting youth mental health through connection, compassion, and belonging this holiday season.
Everywhere we look, we’re reminded that this is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. But for many young people, the holiday season can bring a complicated mix of emotions.
Alongside the excitement may be feelings of stress, loneliness, grief, anxiety, or uncertainty. Some young people may be navigating family challenges, financial pressures, difficult relationships, or the absence of someone they love. Others may simply feel overwhelmed by the expectations that come with this time of year. And sometimes, the pressure to feel happy can make it even harder to acknowledge when we’re not.
A sense of connection and belonging, a young person feeling that they matter can make all the difference in the world. Connection doesn’t have to come through grand gestures or perfectly planned holiday activities. Often, it’s found in the smallest moments. A parent who listens without immediately trying to fix a problem. A teacher who notices a student seems quieter than usual. A friend who reaches out just to say hello. A trusted adult who reminds a young person that they don’t have to pretend everything is okay. These small moments can have a lasting impact.
Recognizing the challenges of the season, shorter days, colder temperatures, changes to familiar routines, opportunities for outdoor activities and social connections shift, some young people may find themselves feeling more isolated or less motivated. Add in school responsibilities, extracurricular commitments, social pressures, and the anticipation of holiday gatherings, and this season can become surprisingly overwhelming.
For young people experiencing grief, family conflict, or financial insecurity, the holidays may also highlight what’s missing rather than what’s being celebrated. That’s why it’s important to resist the assumption that every young person experiences this time of year in the same way. Instead of asking young people to embrace the holiday spirit, let’s make sure they know that whatever they’re feeling is okay.
Some ways to help the young people in our lives through the holidays. Making space for honest conversations. Asking how they’re really doing and being willing to listen without judgment. Letting go of the pressure for perfection. Reminding young people that holidays don’t have to look or feel a certain way to be meaningful. Creating opportunities for connection. Sharing meal, a walk outside, a game night, or a simple check-in can help strengthen relationships. Respecting their need for balance. Encouraging rest, downtime, and healthy boundaries amid busy schedules and social expectations. Noticing the young people who may be struggling quietly. Not everyone will ask for support, but everyone deserves to know it’s available.
Small ways to show them, they matter, just the way they are.
This time of year, we’re encouraged to reflect on gratitude. And while gratitude can be a meaningful practice, it shouldn’t come at the expense of acknowledging difficult emotions.
We can be grateful and still feel sad. We can love our families and still feel overwhelmed. We can look forward to the holidays and still need time and space for ourselves. These feelings can exist together.
This season, perhaps one of the most meaningful ways to practice gratitude is to show the people in our lives that we appreciate them exactly as they are, without expectations or conditions.
Our hope is that every young person has someone who sees them, hears them, and reminds them that they are never alone. Because the greatest gift we can offer a young person isn’t a perfect holiday. It’s the reassurance that they belong, that their feelings matter, and that support is always within reach.
