Happy Holidays From Your Friends at The Door Switch & 7 Ways to Make Your Holidays a Little Brighter!
HOLIDAYS CAN BE DIFFICULT FOR THOSE SUFFERING WITH A MENTAL DISORDER.
While the holiday season can be the most anticipated time of year for many, it can be equally as painful for those suffering with a mental disorder and can perhaps be the most difficult time to be in an inpatient facility.
Here are seven suggestions for making the holidays a little more enjoyable for patients, visitors and staff at your facility:
1. Serve up some holiday classics
For many people, it’s just not the holidays until you get to enjoy your favorite seasonal dish.2. Wear festive attire
Though a new holiday uniform may not be a feasible option, adding some holiday flair–such as reindeer antlers, a santa hat or an ‘ugly Christmas sweater’– helps to spread the holiday joy to all you encounter.
For many people, it’s just not the holidays until you get to enjoy your favorite seasonal dish.2. Wear festive attire
Though a new holiday uniform may not be a feasible option, adding some holiday flair–such as reindeer antlers, a santa hat or an ‘ugly Christmas sweater’– helps to spread the holiday joy to all you encounter.
3. Deliver holiday cards to patients
A special note on a food tray delivery or a season’s greetings card left behind by a housekeeper lets patients know that others are thinking of them during the holiday season.
A special note on a food tray delivery or a season’s greetings card left behind by a housekeeper lets patients know that others are thinking of them during the holiday season.
4. Provide diet-approved sweet treats
Hot chocolate, warm apple cider and pumpkin pie all help to ring in the holiday season. For patients on sugar-free diets, arranging fruit or vegetables in the shape of turkey or Christmas tree can serve as a healthier yet festive option.
Hot chocolate, warm apple cider and pumpkin pie all help to ring in the holiday season. For patients on sugar-free diets, arranging fruit or vegetables in the shape of turkey or Christmas tree can serve as a healthier yet festive option.
5. Build a thankful board
Find a common area to share a posting board for staff, visitors and patients to share what they are thankful for. Messages of thanks during a difficult time can go a long way in providing hope.
Find a common area to share a posting board for staff, visitors and patients to share what they are thankful for. Messages of thanks during a difficult time can go a long way in providing hope.
6. Bring the decorations inside
Setting up Christmas trees, holiday lights, menorahs and more will bring a festive atmosphere into the halls of your facility.
Setting up Christmas trees, holiday lights, menorahs and more will bring a festive atmosphere into the halls of your facility.
7. Call in the carolers
Bringing Christmas carolers or Santa Claus to visit with patients is a great way to share some holiday spirit and spread well-wishes across the facility.
Bringing Christmas carolers or Santa Claus to visit with patients is a great way to share some holiday spirit and spread well-wishes across the facility.
The Door SwitchTM wants to continue the fight for more awareness and provide additional resources to dispel the myths about mental health issues and solutions for safety issues. We also continue to strive to provide a product that keeps the hospital environment safe. We continue to be committed to better practices and procedures in the mental health community. For information concerning our safety product, please click here.
If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255).
Sincerely,
The Door SwitchTM
