Holding Space for Our Mental Health During the Christmas Holidays:

The Christmas season is often painted as a time of joy, family gatherings, and celebration. But for many Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community members, the holidays can be emotionally complicated. Behind the traditions, the lights, and the pressure to be festive, many of us are carrying real burdens—grief, financial stress, generational trauma, depression, anxiety, and the exhaustion of navigating systems that were never built with our well-being in mind.

At Mackey’s Korner, we know that mental health is profoundly shaped by our stories, our cultures, our histories, and our lived experiences. For our communities, the holidays can amplify the weight we already carry—from remembering loved ones who have passed, to coping with strained relationships, to managing the pressure to “hold it all together” for our families. The world may expect us to be strong, resilient, and unshaken—but strength does not mean silence. Resilience does not mean pretending everything is okay.

The Hidden Layers of Holiday Stress in BIPOC Communities

Mental health struggles do not discriminate by age, gender, or color—but the way we experience stress, loss, and emotional pain is profoundly shaped by cultural context. During the holidays, many community members face:

• Grief that resurfaces as we feel the absence of elders, parents, or family members who once filled the season with warmth.

• Financial stress, especially in communities disproportionately impacted by economic inequality, housing instability, and rising costs.

• The emotional toll of caregiving, often carrying the responsibility of supporting entire households, extended family, or community members.

• The pressure to be the “strong one,” even when we are struggling ourselves.

• Loneliness, especially for those disconnected from family or navigating unsafe or unsupportive environments.

• Unseen trauma, including domestic violence, childhood trauma, or unresolved pain that resurfaces during family gatherings.

These experiences are real. They are valid. And you are not alone in them.

Cultural Expectations and the Silence Around Pain

In many of our cultures, we are taught to “pray through it,” “push through it,” or “stay strong no matter what.” While faith and inner strength are powerful, they should never replace support, healing, or emotional safety. The pressure to hide our struggles—to avoid burdening others or to live up to expectations—can leave us suffering in silence.

Mackey’s Korner is here to break that silence.

We believe in talking openly about mental health, dismantling stigma, and creating safe, culturally grounded spaces where our community can be honest about what hurts. Healing happens when we stop pretending and start speaking our truth.

You Are Allowed to Care for Yourself

This holiday season, we encourage our community members to reclaim rest and emotional safety. You are allowed to:

• Say no to gatherings that drain you

• Take a break from family dynamics that trigger old wounds

• Set boundaries without guilt

• Create new traditions that bring you peace

• Rest without apologizing

• Ask for help without shame

• Feel your emotions without minimizing them

Your feelings are not an inconvenience. Your needs matter. Your healing matters. You matter.

Community Care Is at the Heart of Our Wellness

In our cultures, healing is collective. We survive because we stand together. So during this season, we call on our community to check in with intention—especially on those who seem “strong,” quiet, or distant. A call, a message, a moment of kindness can shift someone’s entire day.

And if you’re the one struggling, please know this: you’re not a burden. You’re not weak. You deserve support and connection.

You Are Not Alone — Support Is Here

Mackey’s Korner is committed to supporting our families, youth, adults, and elders through culturally grounded suicide prevention, emotional wellness, and crisis support. We believe your life has meaning. Your presence matters. And your story is worth protecting.

If you or someone you love is facing emotional distress, thoughts of self-harm, or a crisis:

• Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7)

• In San Francisco, you can contact Lynette Mackey at 415-613-5890

• Reach out to trusted community members, spiritual leaders, or safe spaces that honor your identity and story

This Season, Choose Yourself

This Christmas and coming year, let us hold space for truth, rest, and healing. Let’s release the pressure to perform joy and instead embrace authenticity. Let’s choose compassion over shame, connection over silence, and community over isolation.

Your life is valuable. You are loved. You are needed.

And at Mackey’s Korner, you will never have to walk through the holidays—or through pain—alone.

“Your story isn’t over yet.”