The holidays are a time when it is even more important to draw public attention to the importance of maintaining mental health, fighting depression, social stigma and the effects it has on people's lives.

Research done in America shows that 64% of people living with mental illness feel that their condition worsens during the holiday season. At the same time, as many as 38% of respondents in the group of those who do not have mental health problems, say that their stress increases during the holidays, which often leads to physical illnesses, depression, anxiety and substance abuse. As the main reasons for this, the respondents indicate the following: lack of time, financial pressure, giving gifts and family gatherings.

The real problem is actually that depression does not make distinction between its victims. It does not recognize gender, social class, intellectual level, or even age, which is why the presence of this disease is increasingly radical in young people who are just beginning to mature. It is invisible to X-rays, tasteless and odourless, attacks insidiously and the victim often becomes aware of it only after being significantly contaminated by its toxic effect.

People think that holidays exist so that we could gather, connect, celebrate together and share similar experiences and similar rituals. The problem arises when we are not part of a community and we don't have close people to share all of this with. Then the holiday season becomes a time of sadness and the most intense loneliness.

Information that, since the launch of the campaign to fight depression "Unbreakables" in April 2021 until today, more than 15,000 people have sought help by calling SOS line on the number 0800 001 002, by writing to the email podrska@nesalomivi.rs, through social networks Unbreakables and Hemofarm Foundation, is just one more in a series of evidence that speaks of the necessity and expediency of this activity.

If you feel bad, empty, lonely, during the holidays, don’t wait for it to pass. Call SOS line for fighting depression and stigma to the number 0800 001 002 or send an e-mail to podrska@nesalomivi.rs. Our experts, psychologists and psychiatrists from the four Special Hospitals for Psychiatric Diseases in Vršac, Kovin, Gornja Toponica and Novi Kneževac are here to listen and encourage you. Help and support are free, anonymous and available 24/7.



Depression is curable. Part of healing is talking about the disease. Texts and advice from the experts for improvement of psycho-social health, testimonies of persons fighting depression, the most common questions and answers about depression, tips for overcoming this disease, as well as the directory of mental health institutions in Serbia can be found on the web site of the campaign „Unbreakables“ – www.nesalomivi.rs.

Join the movement for fighting depression „Unbreakables“ to pokret@nesalomivi.rs and become a part of the largest network of support to persons fighting depression.

Don’t let the holidays break you!