Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba offers support over the holidays

Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year.

But for anyone struggling with their mental health, the holidays are often more difficult than the media sets them up to be.

That’s where Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba comes in. The organization provides peer support year round – even on holidays when most everything else is shut.

“What happened many years ago was we noticed that all the mental health agencies were closing over the holiday period,” executive director Tara Brousseau-Snider said.

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“A number of volunteers were concerned because it’s a difficult and struggling time for many people.”

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So Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba decided to keep its doors and its phone lines open every day of the year.

“A lot of people have difficulty during the Christmas season, because they’re lonely – some people don’t have families – and they need support,” Pamela, a volunteer with the organization, said.

RELATED: How to take care of your mental health over the holiday season

Pamela said she has had many difficult Christmases in the past, and she’s happy to help people facing similar experiences.

She encourages anyone struggling over the holiday period to reach out and visit the downtown Winnipeg location, or to call the peer support line at 204 786 0987.

Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba is open from every day throughout the holidays, including 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Christmas and New Years.