When “Happy Thanksgiving” Doesn’t Feel So Happy

As Thanksgiving approaches, many people prepare for a day centered on food, family, and gratitude. Yet for so many in our community, the holiday also brings a quiet heaviness. Beneath the laughter and the dinner tables are feelings of grief, loneliness, financial strain, and emotional exhaustion that don’t simply disappear because it’s a holiday. For those living with depression, anxiety, trauma, or thoughts of suicide, the pressure to appear “happy” can feel overwhelming. At Mackey’s Korner, we understand that this season can be both beautiful and painful at the same time—and we hold space for all of it.

The Hidden Weight of the Holidays

Thanksgiving often stirs memories of loved ones who are no longer here, highlights complicated family relationships, or magnifies the reality of being alone. It can be challenging in Black and Brown communities, where generational trauma, racism, and expectations to remain resilient often discourage people from speaking openly about their pain. Many feel they must be strong for everyone else while quietly carrying their own struggles. Mackey’s Korner was created precisely for these moments—to remind our community that you do not have to suffer in silence, and that your feelings are valid.

During this time of year, it’s important to give yourself permission to be honest about how you’re really doing. You do not have to force gratitude when you are grieving. You don’t have to pretend you’re okay when you’re not. Sometimes healing begins simply by naming what you feel—whether that’s sadness, anger, loneliness, or exhaustion. This Thanksgiving, it’s okay to protect your peace by setting boundaries, stepping away when you need to, or choosing not to engage in spaces that feel unsafe for your mental health. Self-preservation is not selfish; it is an act of survival.

Small acts of care can make a meaningful difference during the holidays. Drinking water, eating when you can, taking a short walk, listening to music, or reaching out to someone who makes you feel seen are all powerful reminders that you matter. You don’t need to solve everything in one day. Sometimes the most important goal is to make it to tomorrow with a little more gentleness toward yourself than you had yesterday.

How to Support Someone Who May Be Struggling

If you notice someone in your life pulling away or struggling, your presence can be lifesaving. A simple check-in, a willingness to listen without judgment, and gentle encouragement to seek support can open a door that feels impossible to open alone. When someone expresses thoughts of wanting to die or feeling like a burden, those words should always be taken seriously. Compassion, patience, and connection can save lives.

Mackey’s Korner exists to be that place of connection and understanding for our community. Our work is rooted in suicide awareness and prevention, cultural care, lived experience, and the belief that everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. We are committed to creating spaces where it is okay not to be okay, where healing is collective, and where people are reminded that their lives have value—even when life feels unbearably heavy.

Thanksgiving Reflection

This Thanksgiving, we invite you to pause, breathe, and honor your own journey. If gratitude feels hard to access, let it simply be this: you are still here. Your story is still being written. Your life still matters. And whether you are surrounded by loved ones or feeling alone, Mackey’s Korner stands with you in hope, compassion, and care—today and every day beyond the holiday.

If You’re in Crisis

If you or someone you love is struggling, you do not have to face it alone. Help is available right now. You can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential, 24/7 support. In San Francisco, you can also call Mackey’s Korner at 415-613-5890 for immediate local crisis assistance. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, please contact emergency services right away. Reaching out is not a sign of weakness—it is a powerful act of care, and you deserve support.