The holiday season is upon us, and this time of year is often accompanied by family, food, and festivities of all kinds.
The holidays can also bring up stress, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness for many of us. If you or anyone you know could use some help navigating the holidays this year, this is for you!
Please read out this year’s Best Therapies Holiday Mental Health Resource Guide – full of helpful tips and strategies provided by our amazing team.
Joy and…Stress?
The holidays can be a time of great joy. It can also be a time of great stress. And that’s ok! There’s no right or wrong way to feel about the holidays. No matter what comes up for you, here at Best Therapies, we have your back. Check out the therapist-approved resources from our team to help you manage this holiday season!
Resource Guides
ADHD Resource Guide
(Created by Alyse Ruriani)
- Social media accounts to help you explore and understand ADHD
- Apps created to help manage ADHD
- Favorite books to learn more about ADHD
Click here to explore our ADHD Resources
Trans Resource Guide
(Created by Clark Hazel)
- Favorite books to learn more about ADHD\
- Hormone therapy services in Illinois
- Changing your name and gender in Illinois
- Exploring gender affirming surgery
- Gender affirming clothing and voice lessons
Click here to explore our Trans Resources Guide
Holiday Resource Guide 2021
- Self care strategies to help you de-stress
- Grounding techniques using your body, senses, and breath
- Additional information on crisis help lines and Chicago based food insecurity resources
Click here to explore our Holiday Mental Health Resource Guide 2021
Mindfulness Apps For Sleep, Anxiety And Stress
Insight Timer: Free meditations led by expert practitioners from around the world.
Liberate: Meditations we created for the Black community and led by BIPOC practitioners.
HeadSpace: Science-backed meditation and mindfulness tools to help you reduce stress.
Calm: Sleep stories and meditations narrated by everyone from Harry Styles to LeBron James.
Quick Grounding Techniques To Manage Your Mental Health During the Holidays
Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Slowly tense and relax different muscle groups in your body to lower your stress level.
Walking Meditation: Walking is a great alternative for those who don’t like to sit still and prefer movement.
5 Senses Mindfulness: By focusing on each of our five senses we can bring ourself back into the present moment.
4-7-8 Breathing: Focused breathing can bring our attention away from repetitive thoughts and anxieties.
ILLINOIS FINANCIAL SUPPORT RESOURCES
Benefit Finder – A questionnaire to help you find benefits you may be eligible for
Help With Your Utility Bills: Illinois | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – HUD resources accessing assistance with utility bills
Help Illinois Families – Emergency assistance for housing costs including rent and utility bills
CHICAGO FOOD INSECURITY RESOURCES
- Greater Chicago Food Depository – Easy to navigate resources on how to find food throughout the city
- Illinois Department of Human Services – Apply for SNAP and Link cards for food assistance
- Chicago Based Soup Kitchens, Food Banks, Food Pantries Directory
- Northwest Food Partners Network – Emergency food resources for Chicago’s Northwest side
- ICNA Relief Chicago – Provides Muslim family services and two food pantry locations
- Nourishing Hope – Based in Lakeview, Nourishing Hope offers multiple programs throughout the city to distribute food including home delivery and an online market
- The Love Fridge Chicago – A mutual aid organization with fridges designed by artists throughout the city encouraging community members to take what they need and leave what they can
- Common Pantry – Provides holiday specific food distributions on Chicago’s North Side
- Community Kitchen Chicago – Directory of mutual aid groups throughout Chicago that can help connect you to food and resources
LGBTQ+ Resources For Holidays
The idea of going home for the holidays can bring up all sorts of emotions. Give yourself permission to feel what you feel. The holiday season can be an important time for us to reflect on our own boundaries and what we need to feel safe. It’s ok to spend this time with your biological family, chosen family, friends, or however you want!
Here are some quick reads on how to prepare for this holiday season if you decide to spend some time at home.
FLAG – Going Home For The Holidays
This guide on going home for the holidays offers tangible guidance on how you can plan and prepare for family time this holiday season.
How To Talk About Transitioning
Talking about transitioning is different for everyone. Check out this coming out guide from the Human Rights Campaign.
Queer Book Databases
When you’re home, there’s a good chance you’ll need some alone time. Why not cozy up with some great queer books! This list of queer book databases is perfect for picking your next read.
CRISIS- Help Lines
t is ok to need extra support! If you find yourself in a mental health emergency and need to talk to someone immediately, try these help lines to access care.
SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE
Call or text 988, or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Chat online: https://988lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/
For TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988
Call or text 988, or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Chat online: https://988lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/
For TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988
TRANS LIFELINE HOTLINE
Peer support phone service run by trans people for trans and questioning peers
Call 877-565-8860
Visit their website: https://translifeline.org/hotline/
Peer support phone service run by trans people for trans and questioning peers
Call 877-565-8860
Visit their website: https://translifeline.org/hotline/
THE TREVOR PROJECT
Provides 24/7 crisis support services to young LGBTQ+ people
Call 866-488-7386 or text 678678
Chat online: http://www.thetrevorproject.org/section/get-help
Provides 24/7 crisis support services to young LGBTQ+ people
Call 866-488-7386 or text 678678
Chat online: http://www.thetrevorproject.org/section/get-help
SAGE LGBTQ+ ELDER HOTLINE
Connects older LGBTQ+ people who want to talk with friendly responders who
are ready to listen
Call 877-360-LGBT (5428)
Visit their website: https://www.sageusa.org/what-we-do/sage-national-lgbtelder-hotline/
Connects older LGBTQ+ people who want to talk with friendly responders who
are ready to listen
Call 877-360-LGBT (5428)
Visit their website: https://www.sageusa.org/what-we-do/sage-national-lgbtelder-hotline/
VETERANS CRISIS LINE
For veterans, military personnel, and their families
Call 988 and Press 1, or text 838255
Chat online: http://veteranscrisisline.net/
For veterans, military personnel, and their families
Call 988 and Press 1, or text 838255
Chat online: http://veteranscrisisline.net/
For more information about Best Therapies or to schedule a therapy session with one of our awesome clinicians, check out our website!
