Be sure to check in on others this time of year! (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)
While the holidays can feel magical, they can also stir up unexpected anxiety, loneliness and other challenges that affect our mental well-being.
To help ease the stress of the season, here are some tips and local resources around Birmingham.
Birmingham is here to help
Here are some organizations you can reach out to if you are feeling down:
An eating disorder treatment center in Birmingham that is “a never-ending circle of compassion, community and care for individuals navigating through eating disorders.”
An easy-to-remember, free + confidential phone line that can connect you to more than 800 community organizations throughout Alabama.
West Jefferson Helping Families Initiative
The West Jefferson Helping Families Initiative (WJHFI) of the 10th Judicial Circuit, Bessemer Division, provides help to families to ensure their children have what they need for school success.
Can help with mental health struggles, emotional distress, substance use concerns, or if you just need someone to talk to.
Catholic Family Services is a counseling and family services center that provides various wellness services in English + Spanish.
A nonprofit whose mission is to serve the unmet needs of people experiencing personal crisis or mental health issues + respond with services that promote coping, emotional health + well-being.
Black Women’s Mental Health Institute
A national nonprofit dedicated to building awareness of + support for the mental + holistic wellbeing of Black women + girls.
Children’s of Alabama Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC)
Located in the Emergency Department at Children’s of Alabama, the PIRC is a free, confidential phone response center designed to help adult callers + community providers in finding the appropriate level of mental health care for children or teens.
A Christian-affiliated, nonprofit counseling center founded in 1991 to provide low-cost professional counseling services to the Birmingham community in order to protect children and strengthen families.
Blount County Children’s Center
A Child Advocacy Center that’s working to prevent child abuse and provide help to victims + their families, working closely with government agencies that protect children.
Find a new hobby in Birmingham
Pottery classes in Birmingham are a great way to unwind and relax your mind. (Sarah Gronberg / Bham Now)
New skills allow your mind to focus and small achievements can boost your mood—try a new hobby or revisit an old one!
Some places where you can learn a new trick in Birmingham include:
Take care of your physical body
Get outside and go on a walk or hike. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)
Physical activity is hugely important to mental well-being. Pick an activity that you enjoy and make it a habit.
Birmingham is full of amazing walking trails and hiking hot spots. Check out a few of our favorites and bask in the beauty of the Magic City.
Eating right is also key. The opportunities to indulge are endless right now, so getting actual nutrition is extra important. Fresh fruits, vegetables and lean proteins are key. Check out some of our healthy food favorites in Birmingham.
Get connected in your community
Volunteering is a great way to boost your mental health this season. (Bham Now)
Here are some ways you can get involved in the Birmingham community and make friends within it.
While we here at Bham Now write about happy things all the time, we’re no strangers to the darker side of life. We really hope you’ll reach out for help if you need it and share this with your friends or loved ones who may need it.
Take care of yourself this season, Birmingham! You are important, you matter and you are worth it!
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