Today is Halloween, but how does this day affect mental health?
2024-10-31 09:54:12
TiranaPost
By Eleonor Segall/ For me, Halloween is a wonderful time of the year. I like to dress up as a character and go to a party on October 31. But I am aware that I suffer from depression and anxiety. Sometimes I try to hang out with people or open the door to little kids in masks that night. But for me it is a difficult situation. And apparently I'm not the only one who feels this way. According to the website No Panic, a 2013 report showed that there are 8.2 million people in England who experience anxiety, so Halloween, with its aim to scare you, can be a difficult event for many people. I would not like to see stigmatized suits of patients who have mental health problems or gathering in a scary place telling stories like this. I was curious to find out how Halloween affects my mental health so I ran a poll on Twitter. Of the 146 people who participated in the survey (although I know it's a small number), it turned out that for 63% Halloween was an event that didn't bother them at all, 28% said they were looking forward to it with great fun and only 9% they said it was a terrible thing for their mental health.
Laura Peters, counselor of the Rethink Mental Health center told Metro: For many, especially young people, Halloween is an opportunity to have fun. If you live with social anxiety, knocking on your door late at night can make it worse. But all those affected must take control of the situation. It is good for everyone to be mentally prepared that Halloween will have scary costumes, scary music playing in cars, candles and pumpkins in the streets as well. It is necessary to prepare for this night and do breathing exercises. If you don't want to participate, just stay home. You can leave a note on the door of the house: I don't want to give you candy or sweets or participate! In general, October is the month of changes or seasonal depression as it is known, and this situation lasts until the last day of the month.
Mental health expert Amy Hutson says: 'Halloween can be a difficult 'holiday' for people with mental health problems. If you feel that Halloween is a psychologically taxing event, think about what can help you take your mind off it. You can stay at home with other people. If someone knocks on the door, a friend or family member of yours can open it. The 5-4-3-2-1 method can also be used, which involves focusing on our five senses.
*Eleonor Segall - freelance blogger and journalist.
