According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the holiday season brings increased stress, family conflict, financial strain, loneliness, and emotional triggers that lead to spikes in alcohol- and drug-related deaths.
A recent CDC study released in 2024 ranked Florida in the 75th percentile in the United States for the largest number of drinks consumed on an occasion among people who binge drink, with an average of 7.7 drinks per individual during a binge drinking episode.
Florida’s seven behavioral health Managing Entities, which oversee the state’s behavioral health safety net system, are offering tips to those struggling with holiday-related mental health issues.
“The holidays are a time of joy, but they can also be a time of tremendous stress and emotional turbulence for many that can trigger unhealthy and dangerous coping strategies, such as increased drug and alcohol use,” said Natalie K. Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities. “Florida’s behavioral health Managing Entities are reminding Floridians that there are healthy ways to relieve stress and to care for your physical and mental health during this taxing time.”
The state’s Managing Entities are offering the following tips to help navigate the highs and lows of the season:
Get plenty of exercise. Exercising boosts your mood and combats depression;
Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol is a depressant that can cause feelings of anxiety, sadness and depression;
Set healthy boundaries and don’t overextend yourself. Setting realistic expectations can help reduce stress;
Seek the help of a counselor for mental health needs. If you feel overwhelmed or the need to get help to address your feelings, contact a counselor; and
Call 2-1-1 if needed to connect with resources in your community.
Florida’s seven local Managing Entities work with a network of 326 behavioral health care providers who deliver services to over 300,000 of Florida’s most vulnerable residents, including children, expectant mothers, veterans, and the chronically homeless.
The Florida Association of Managing Entities (FAME) is the statewide organization representing Florida’s seven Managing Entities. FAME’s mission is to advance the behavioral health recovery of individuals and their families in the state of Florida. For more information, visit FLManagingEntities.com.
