In this new world where we’re all stuck inside most of the day, the winter season is exceptionally tough. Travel you were excited for may have been postponed, long-standing traditions canceled, and the act of hanging out with your friends shifts from physical gatherings to the smaller confines of your computer or phone.

Whether it’s going out for a short walk for some sunlight, getting into that succulent growing hobby you’ve been dreaming of, or just doing some stretches to get out of your seat, every little bit helps bring a sense of normalcy. It breaks the increased monotony of the winter season that’s elevated further in a COVID world.

Sometimes, the things floating around the back of your mind can’t be identified and addressed by yourself. Maybe you’re not sure how to handle them on your own, or you need to talk to someone for advice on how to overcome these feelings. That’s okay.

If your mind’s a bit more cloudy during the winter season, or if something residing in your thoughts for a while now rears its head more often in these cold months, we’d like to share a few articles and resources that have helped members of the Discord team when we also need it.

Learning About What’s Going On

The following articles are pieces that the Discord team has found to be a valuable resource in learning more about what may be going on:

• Stress, depression and the holidays: Tips for coping (Mayo Clinic)
• 14 Tips to Beat Holiday Depression, According to Psychologists (Health Magazine)
• Risk Factors and Things to Look Out For (Suicide Prevention Hotline)
• To Write Love On Her Arms, a non-profit dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for those struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.
• Take This, an organization providing comprehensive resources and support tailored for the game development community. At PAX, they also hold “Quiet Rooms” anyone can use to take a breather.

It’s hard to know how to exactly assist when someone may need help. It’s only natural to want to say and do the right things, but most of us aren’t experts. Even if you don’t sit down and get to the bottom of things, letting someone know you’re around if they need anything can make all the difference in the world.

Organizations Within a Moment’s Reach

If you’re looking for some more immediate assistance, below are a few organizations that can help point you in the right direction when you need it the most

• Crisis Text Line, a free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text 741741 from anywhere in the US or CA to text with a trained Crisis Counselor. In the UK, text 85258. In Ireland, text 50808.
• The Trevor Project: The leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LBGTQ & questioning youth. You can either call, text, or have a live chat with someone at any time.
• NAMI — National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. They can be reached Monday thru Friday, 10 am to 6 pm ET by calling 1–800–950-NAMI.

We also recommend looking into the Discord Safety Center. Along with its Mental health on Discord page, it provides a ton of valuable resources to help keep your Discord experience an enjoyable one.

This post will always be here when you’re looking for some extra help, so there’s no need to rush to these articles or resources. Feel free to bookmark this post and come back to it if you’re ever interested in checking them out.