Supporting Veterans During the Holiday Season

Released: December 8, 2023

Supporting Veterans During the Holiday Season

The County’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Delaware County Suicide Awareness and Prevention Task Force provide holiday guidance and coping tips for Veterans

In the spirit of the holiday season, a time renowned for joy, celebration, and togetherness, the Delaware County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, together with the Delaware County Suicide Awareness and Prevention Task Force, want to extend a warm embrace to our community's Veterans. While the holiday cheer is in the air, it's important to recognize that this time of year can be a period of mixed emotions for some—especially Veterans.

Understanding the complex emotional landscape that many Veterans navigate during this season, Military and Veterans Affairs and the Task Force want Veterans to embrace the holiday season with balanced expectations and understand that it's completely natural to feel an array of emotions, both joyful and reflective.

As part of their dedication to offer guidance and support, Veterans Affairs and the Task Force have developed a list of practical tips to help Veterans cope with the emotional challenges that the holiday season may bring. These tips are aimed not only at helping Veterans navigate their feelings but also at reminding them that they are not alone in their experiences.

The recognition of these challenges and the subsequent outreach efforts reflects Delaware County's commitment to Veterans, ensuring that even in times of solitude, support and understanding are readily available.

Here are some thoughtful tips for finding comfort and joy this holiday season:

Both positive and negative feelings can be felt around the holidays, this is normal!

Try to reframe unrealistic expectations you may have about the holidays.

Getting out and around others can help put you in a positive mood.

Consider volunteering for a non-profit organization, an animal shelter, or visiting a nursing home to remember the spirit of giving.

Surround yourself with supportive and positive people.

Re-connect with someone you have lost touch with.

Find opportunities to increase your natural supports during the holidays.

Maintain a balanced healthy diet. Everything in moderation.

Get plenty of rest.

Exercise regularly.

Go outdoors. Be active!

Pace yourself with commitments and activities so you remain regulated.

Remember it’s okay to say “no,” and not attend every function.

Set priorities and budgets before the holidays. Create a calendar or "To Do List" for shopping, baking, visiting, and other events.

Give gifts that can't be bought, such as time and the sharing of memories.

To further aid Veterans in navigating the emotional challenges of the holiday season, the Military and Veterans Affairs and the Task Force collaborated to create a helpful, downloadable flyer. The printable resource encapsulates these valuable coping tips, providing an easy reference for Veterans and their loved ones. The flyer can be downloaded at DelcoPA.Gov/Coping.

Are you a Veteran in need of peer support?

Contact the Delaware County Critical Incident Stress Management Team at (610) 565-8719—or through any 911 dispatcher.

Veterans can also call the Delaware County Mobile Crisis Team at (855) 889-7827 or dial 988 (Ext. 1).

Experiencing suicidal thoughts?

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please dial 911.