ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - It could be grief: missing someone who is usually at the Thanksgiving table who isn’t this year. It could be apprehension at the thought of certain topics coming up during dinner: politics, religion, sexuality. It could be anxiety over a lack of finances to make Thanksgiving happen this year or fear over being triggered by certain family members.

There are all kinds of reasons why the holidays can be hard on people.

“They are a joyous time for many people. It is a time to get together with family, discuss memories, make new memories. But for many people, it is just the opposite. They view the holidays as a time of anxiety and intense stress,” said Jim Ford, a volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Crisis Text Line.

Volunteers with the Crisis Text Line said calls and texts to the hotline can increase during the holidays.

“People who reach out during the holidays tend to reach out because they are lonely. That is the number one reason. They see people get together during the holidays. They see people post things on Facebook and Instagram, holiday meals and that is something they don’t participate in,” said Ford.

It is one option for people struggling. They can call or text 741741 and a trained counselor can help them come back to baseline.

“The great thing about the Crisis Text Line is the goal of taking someone from a hot moment to a cool, calm, to get them to a safe place,” said Ford.

Another is 988. That is a hotline you can text or call if you or someone you love is thinking of taking their life or planning to take their life. You can also call if you are in crisis.

For whatever reason, if the holidays are a source of pain rather than joy, there is a community of people who can help even if you don’t feel it. You can always lean in.

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