By Veronica Beltran

mental health during the holidays

Local woman offers free counselling around Holidays

Dec 16, 2019 | 6:04 PM

PRINCE GEORGE–The Holidays are supposed to be a time of cheer and joy for many, however, that isn’t always the case.

Kaila McAnulty, a local Registered Clinical Therapist is trying to change that by giving back to the community, offering free counselling sessions on December 21st, to those struggling with their mental health during the holidays.

“Well, I’ve wanted to do this every year,” said McAnulty in an on-camera interview, “that’s just been something really important to me, is to be able to give back to the community.” The 30-minute sessions will be able available for drop-in (first come, first serve) and are able to be scheduled in advance

This is McAnulty’s first time offering the sessions, she mentions that although anyone’s mental health can be affected during this time of year, that it is mostly the elderly.

Mary Lu Spagrud, Manager of Education and Projects with the Canadian Mental Health Association says that staying indoors more because of the cold, the overcast weather conditions, the pressure of shopping for gifts can all attribute to an impact on anyone’s overall mental health. “Remember that the value of friendship, the value of homemade gifts is as valuable as commercial things,” said Spagrud “If maybe someone lives in an apartment building and they know that there is two or three other people in the building that are going to be alone…be neighbourly, reach out, create your own sense of family.”

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McAnulty hopes to inspire other therapists to offer holiday sessions in Prince George, next year.