Community Christmas Dinner with Flo Hallett and Glen Ahenakew. (File Photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Ronald Quaroni

Coming Together

Holiday support: Prince Albert invited to share fellowship and cheer

Dec 20, 2019 | 12:28 PM

The Christmas season can be a difficult one.

The annual Community Christmas Dinner is taking place at St. Mary’s Highschool, Dec. 25, at 1 p.m. For the organizers and the 200 volunteers, it’s more than just a meal.

“To bring people together at this time of year at the community level, to be able to interact and have fellowship,” one of the organizers, Angela Impey said. “It’s very important. Lots of people struggle with loneliness or depression. They may have recently lost a loved one and their lifestyle has changed. It just gives them an opportunity to be around a positive environment full of fellowship.”

Impey said everyone in the community is invited to come out. There will be candy bags and toys for the kids. Local artist Donny Parenteau will be on hand to provide some musical entertainment.

The event could be a nice opportunity for those struggling to reach out and enjoy time together.

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Tiffany Olson, a registered social worker and clinical therapist at Turquoise Tree in Prince Albert, explained people could have many reasons for needing help this Christmas.

“Christmas time can be a joyous time, but also tough for many people. They’re struggling with symptoms of grief or seasonal affective disorder,” Olson said.

She said taking self-care days and staying healthy can help mitigate these feelings.

“Getting enough rest, not drinking too much alcohol or eating too much during the season. Staying physically active and not isolating, trying to connect with people on some type of level so we’re not feeling so alone where we’re having these lower days or feelings,” Olson advised. “Reach out for support. That may be a doctor, therapist or even a close friend.”

Olson said signs of someone is suffering seasonal affective disorder include; lower mood, depression, tired, irritability, wanting to stay inside.

According to Olson, an easy treatment for the disorder is taking Vitamin D, a chemical compound naturally absorbed by exposure to the sun, which can be hard to catch in the winter.

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Ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni