Holidays Can Be Difficult for Adolescents Struggling with Mental Health

HOLYOKE — While the holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy and togetherness, it can be particularly challenging for adolescents struggling with mental-health issues. MiraVista Behavioral Health Center is addressing these challenges by offering direct access to compassionate inpatient psychiatric care, providing critical support to young people when they need it most.

The disruptions brought by the holidays can amplify mental-health struggles in adolescents. School, a place of stability and routine, often serves as a protective factor for teens. When school is not in session, adolescents lose access to that structure and support system, which can contribute to feelings of anxiety, isolation, and depression.

For some adolescents, the holidays can mean heightened exposure to family conflicts, financial stress, or unresolved grief. Others may face unique challenges living outside their homes in foster care or residential placements, further deepening feelings of displacement and disconnection.

“Adolescents are particularly vulnerable during the holidays as routines are disrupted and stressors are often magnified,” said Shelley Zimmerman, MiraVista’s hospital administrator. “Our goal is to ensure that young people have access to a safe, supportive environment where they can stabilize, heal, and receive the care they need.”

Zimmerman added that MiraVista’s direct-admission process allows adolescents in need of higher-level care to bypass the Emergency Department and access treatment quickly. This streamlined approach reduces delays and connects teens directly to support when they are in crisis.

MiraVista provides inpatient psychiatric care specifically designed for adolescents aged 13-17 (18 if still in high school). Treatment offers a nurturing and therapeutic environment where young people can address acute mental-health challenges, process their experiences, and begin building resilience with the help of professionals trained to work specifically with adolescents, guiding them through their most vulnerable moments and helping them rediscover strength and hope.

“MiraVista Behavioral Health Center serves as a critical resource for parents, schools, and healthcare providers seeking immediate, effective care for adolescents experiencing a mental-health crisis,” said Evangeline Murray, MiraVista’s associate chief Nursing officer. “By ensuring access to treatment during one of the most difficult times of the year, MiraVista is making a difference for young people and their families across the region.

“The holidays should not be a time when young people feel overlooked or alone,” Murray added. “Mental health doesn’t take a holiday, and neither do we.”