Navigating Behavioral Health at the Holidays: A Guide for FQHC Providers

The holiday season, while often a time of joy and celebration, can also be a period of heightened stress and anxiety for many individuals. As a FQHC behavioral health provider, you are uniquely positioned to support your patients during this challenging time. Here are five strategies to help you provide the best possible care to patients while also prioritizing self-care.  

1. Acknowledge the Unique Challenges of the Holiday Season:

• Socioeconomic Disadvantage: Many FQHC patients live in poverty, facing limited access to nutritious food, safe housing, and quality education. These factors significantly impact overall health and well-being, and the holidays often emphasize these disadvantages. 
• Increased Stress: The pressure to meet expectations, financial strain, and social obligations can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Loneliness and Isolation: For those who are grieving, estranged from family, or living alone, the holidays can be particularly isolating.
• Substance Abuse: Holiday gatherings often involve alcohol consumption, which can trigger relapse for individuals in recovery.
• Disrupted Routines: Changes in daily schedules, travel, and meal times can disrupt treatment plans and coping mechanisms.

2. Adapt Treatment Plans:

• Flexibility: Be flexible in scheduling appointments to accommodate holiday plans.
• Crisis Planning: Develop personalized crisis plans with patients, including emergency contacts and coping strategies.
• Telehealth: Utilize telehealth services to maintain continuity of care and reduce barriers to access.

3. Promote Self-Care:

• Set Realistic Expectations: Help patients set realistic goals and avoid perfectionism.
• Limit Social Media: Encourage patients to limit their exposure to social media, which can trigger feelings of inadequacy and comparison.
• Prioritize Sleep: Emphasize the importance of adequate sleep and establish healthy sleep hygiene practices.

4. Offer Support and Empathy:

• Active Listening: Create a safe and non-judgmental space for patients to express their feelings. Acknowledge the emotional toll of the holidays.
• Offer Practical Tips: Provide concrete suggestions for coping with stress, such as time management techniques and stress-reduction activities.
• Connect with Community Resources: Refer patients to local support groups, holiday assistance programs, and crisis hotlines.

5. Take Care of Yourself:

• Self-Compassion: You can only support your patients if you support yourself first. Practice self-compassion and avoid burnout.
• Set Boundaries: The end-of-year rush can be exciting, but extremely stressful. It is important to remember to establish healthy boundaries between work and personal life. 
• Seek Support: Don't hesitate to seek support from family and friends, or even colleagues. Utilize the support systems in your life, and reach out when you need someone to lean on. 

By understanding the unique challenges faced by your patients during the holidays and implementing these strategies, you can help them navigate this time with greater resilience and well-being.

Peregrine Health: Your Year-Round Partner in BH Care

Many communities struggle with inadequate behavioral healthcare due to resource scarcity and high patient demand. At Peregrine, we collaborate with clinics to create personalized plans for providing a full spectrum of mental health services, including therapy, medication management, and psychiatric care. Our dedicated providers seamlessly integrate into your clinic's team. 

Ready to learn more? Reach out to us today.

This blog was created in collaboration with Elizabeth Ball, LCSW, who provided invaluable input based on her experience as a licensed clinical behavioral healthcare social worker.

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