How to overcome youths' post-holiday blues: HOTBHN

The Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network (HOTBHN) offers comprehensive services for Central Texans.

A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study shows that 36.7 percent of children feel sad. Klaras Center for Families (KCF) provides vital services that assist children, adolescents, young adults, and their families when needed.

Post-holiday blues usually occur during the immediate switch between the end of the festive season and the time to return to their regular daily routines at school.

Most children and teens may find it challenging to navigate this cooldown phase where their feelings can be expressed in their behavior rather than words.

“The post-holiday blues in children and teens is a time when children may dread going back to school and experience some sadness and disappointment after the long holiday break,” Dallas Smeltser, Counseling Program Manager for Klaras Center for Families, said. “It is a time when the excitement and joy of the holidays are at an end and when responsibilities return.”

Smeltser continued, “Symptoms of the postholiday blues in children and teens may manifest as irritability, insomnia, lack of focus, lack of appetite, anxiety, and sadness. Parents can help their children through the postholiday blues by listening to them, creating time for family fun such as game night or movie night, exercise together, increase sleep, eat healthy, surround self with positive people, provide routine, consistency, and structure, create some new post-holiday traditions for the family to look forward to and be supportive.

Most children and teens will usually adjust and work through the postholiday blues in a few weeks after getting back into their daily routines. If negative symptoms persist, this may be signs that the child or teen could be experiencing emotional problems where consultation with a mental health professional may be needed.”

KCF staff provide support services that include but are not limited to screening, crisis intervention, continuity of care (after hospitalization), assessments, skills, training, counseling, trauma intervention, family partner support, etc.

Klaras Center for Families (KCF) is HOTBHN’s Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Services provider. It offers assistance and support services to its six-county region of Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, and McLennan Counties.

For complete information on KCF and its programs, visit our website at hotbhn.org or call (254) 752-7889.