20 Holiday Mental Health Statistics, Trends, and Predictions for 2025
It may be the most wonderful time of the year for some, but many people experience seasonal stress, the “holiday blues,” and other mental health challenges that can make this time of year less than merry.
Given the complex challenges of the season, continuing education courses play a vital role in helping mental health professionals stay informed and deliver effective, evidence-based care.
We’ve gathered 20 holiday mental health statistics that reveal how rising stress, loneliness, and emotional pressure can disrupt healthy habits, strain physical health, and undermine overall well-being—particularly for individuals managing existing mental health conditions.
Key Holiday Mental Health Statistics
1. About 89% of U.S. adults say the holidays cause them at least some stress
A poll by the American Psychological Association (APA) revealed nearly nine in 10 U.S. adults report that something causes them stress during the Thanksgiving to New Year’s holiday season. While many people who report holiday stress still experience similar stress levels at other times of the year, it shows that holiday stress is the norm rather than the exception.
About 49% of respondents characterize their holiday stress levels as moderate, suggesting it’s often persistent rather than overwhelming—but 43% say holiday stress is significant enough to affect their ability to enjoy the season.
Source: APA.
2. 41% of U.S. adults report consistently higher stress levels during the holiday season
While most people feel some stress during the holidays, more than four in 10 U.S. adults experience a net increase in stress compared to their normal baseline.
Meanwhile, 52% of respondents report similar stress levels compared to the rest of the year, and 7% of adults report decreased stress during the holidays.
Source: APA.
3. Roughly 60% of Americans say the holidays negatively impact their mental health
Three in five Americans report that their mental health is negatively affected during the holiday season. Unlike the earlier statistic focused specifically on people with diagnosed mental illness, this finding reflects a broader population-level impact.
Together, these surveys indicate that holiday-related mental health strain extends well beyond clinical populations and affects a majority of U.S. adults to some degree.
Source: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
4. Nearly two-thirds of people feel overwhelmed by too much pressure during the holiday season
Overwhelming pressure from family obligations, work, and social expectations is reported by 63% of respondents to a survey by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). These stressors can trigger anxiety, irritability, or depressive symptoms, underscoring the importance of self-care and setting realistic limits.
Source: NAMI.
5. About 64% of people with mental illness say the holidays make their condition worse
Nearly two-thirds of individuals living with a diagnosed mental illness report that the holiday season worsens their symptoms. Holiday-related stressors, such as disruptions to routine, increased social demands, financial pressure, and emotional reminders of loss, can intensify conditions such as anxiety, depression, and mood disorders.
Among those who report worsening symptoms, 24% say the holidays make their condition “a lot worse,” while an additional 40% describe their symptoms as “somewhat worse.” This breakdown underscores that holiday-related mental health strain is not only widespread among clinical populations but can also be severe for a substantial subset of individuals.
Sources: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, NAMI.
Holiday Mental Health Statistics – Emotional and Social Strain
6. More than half of Americans feel lonely at least sometimes during the holidays—even when they’re with loved ones
A 2025 survey asked U.S. adults how often they feel lonely around the holidays, even while they’re with loved ones, and about 51% of respondents said they feel lonely at least sometimes.
This included 10% who said they always feel lonely around loved ones during the holidays, 14% who said “often,” and 27% who said “sometimes.” An additional 23% said “rarely” and 24% said “never.” About 2% of respondents said this question was not applicable.
Source: LifeStance Health.
7. Roughly 7 in 10 Americans feel pressure to act happier than they truly are during the holidays
About 69% of U.S. adults say they feel pressure to act happier than they feel during the holiday season. This pressure is especially pronounced among younger generations, with 34% of millennials and 35% of Gen Z reporting a high degree of pressure to project happiness.
In contrast, 31% of respondents say they do not feel pressure to appear happier, highlighting a divide between those who feel emotionally constrained by holiday expectations and those who do not.
Source: LifeStance Health.
8. About 75% of Americans attend at least some holiday gatherings out of obligation rather than desire
Only 20% of U.S. adults say they genuinely want to attend all of their holiday gatherings. In contrast, about three in four report attending at least some holiday events out of a sense of obligation. This dynamic can contribute to holiday stress by leaving people feeling overcommitted, emotionally stretched, or unable to rest during an already demanding time of year.
Gen Z is the least enthusiastic group overall, with 89% saying they attend at least a few holiday gatherings solely because they feel obligated to do so—suggesting that social pressure, rather than connection, often drives participation during the holidays.
Source: LifeStance Health.
9. Less than half of Americans look forward to seeing family and friends during the holidays
Only 41% of U.S. adults anticipate spending time with loved ones. The APA survey also revealed only 24% enjoy holiday meals, and 8% are excited about taking time off and 8% are looking forward to gift exchanges. This lack of enthusiasm indicates that for many Americans, holiday obligations are a chore rather than experiences they expect to enjoy.
Source: Psychiatry.org.
Holiday Mental Health Statistics – Practical Stressors and Unrealistic Expectations
10. 58% of Americans report financial stress during the holidays, making it the leading stressor
Nearly six in 10 U.S. adults say financial concerns—such as spending too much money or not having enough to spend—are a major source of holiday stress, making finances the most commonly reported holiday stressor overall.
Gift-related costs play a significant role in this pressure, with about 46% of adults reporting stress specifically tied to affording holiday gifts.
Financial strain is not the only contributor to holiday stress, but it consistently ranks above other common stressors, including finding the right gifts (40%), missing family members or loved ones (38%), having too much to do (32%), and feeling pressure to make the holidays special (30%).
Younger adults report heightened vulnerability, as more than half of those ages 18 to 34 say gift affordability is a source of stress, compared with 38% of adults ages 65 and older.
Sources: APA, Psychiatry.org.
11. 57% of people experience unrealistic expectations for the holidays
More than half of survey participants said unrealistic expectations contribute to holiday stress. This is driven by attempts to recreate “perfect” experiences or by comparing current holidays to past ones—a behavior reported by 55% of respondents—which can increase disappointment and emotional strain.
Source: NAMI.
12. Half of Americans are unable to be with loved ones over the holidays
The NAMI survey found 50% of respondents are unable to spend the holidays with family or friends. This lack of connection can increase feelings of isolation, highlighting the importance of finding alternative ways to celebrate or stay in touch.
Source: NAMI.
Holiday Mental Health Statistics – Seasonal Mood Disorders and Bipolar Vulnerability
13. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects about 5% of the U.S. population
SAD is linked to seasonal changes in daylight and can produce symptoms that closely resemble depression and chronic stress. Because decreased daylight hours during the late fall and winter months overlap with the holidays, SAD can compound emotional distress during that time for those affected.
Source: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
14. Seasonal affective disorder is 4 times more common in women than men
SAD is significantly more prevalent among women, with a reported female-to-male ratio of 4:1, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. This disparity suggests that women may face a higher risk of seasonal mood disruptions during the winter months.
This gender imbalance may help explain why some populations report disproportionate emotional strain during the holiday season, especially when combined with caregiving responsibilities, social expectations, and financial pressures.
Source: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
15. Up to 25% of people with bipolar disorder (BD) experience seasonal mood worsening
About 20% to 25% of individuals with bipolar disorder experience clinically significant mood worsening during fall and winter, indicating they are more vulnerable to seasonal changes.
Symptoms most often shift toward depression. Reduced daylight, disrupted routines, and holiday stress may all play a role.
A contributing factor may be the fact that people with BD experience larger seasonal sleep changes—about a 1.8-hour difference on average between winter and summer, compared with roughly 1 hour in the general population. This may further increase emotional sensitivity during the holidays.
Source: National Library of Medicine.
16. Seasonal sensitivity is especially common in bipolar II disorder
In outpatient studies, 63.6% of people with bipolar II disorder report seasonal mood changes, compared with 41.4% of those with bipolar I disorder. This suggests that mood patterns characterized by prolonged low mood may be particularly vulnerable to winter-related stressors common during the holiday season.
Source: National Library of Medicine.
17. Bipolar disorder is associated with nearly 4x higher odds of seasonal affective disorder
Compared with general primary care populations, individuals with bipolar disorder have 3.7 times higher odds of also having SAD, and about 15% meet diagnostic criteria for both conditions. This overlap highlights how winter-specific depression can compound existing mood challenges during the holidays.
Source: National Library of Medicine.
Holiday Mental Health Statistics – Risk Behaviors and Emerging Trends
18. About 40% of adults increase alcohol use during the holidays
For many Americans, substance use disorders can be exacerbated during the holiday season. Numerous social events, disruptions to daily routines, and time off work can facilitate or encourage the consumption of alcohol. Additionally, individuals may use alcohol to cope with holiday stress and other mental disorders exacerbated by the pressures of the season.
Source: Mountain Pacific.
19. Drug overdoses increase 22% during the holiday season
Over half (57%) of those overdoses happened among individuals who had been prescribed opioids in the past year. This highlights the link between substance misuse and the winter months.
Source: Design for Change.
20. About 28% of Americans report increased holiday stress compared to the previous year
A 2024 survey by the American Psychiatric Association found that over a quarter of U.S. adults felt more stressed during the holiday season than they did the previous year.
Source: Psychiatry.org.
What These Holiday Mental Health Statistics Reveal
- Holiday stress is nearly universal, with most adults reporting some level of strain and many experiencing stress above their usual baseline.
- Emotional pressure—such as feeling obligated to appear happy or attend gatherings—plays a major role in seasonal distress.
- Loneliness is common during the holidays, even among people spending time with family or friends.
- Financial concerns, particularly around gift-giving, consistently rank as the leading source of holiday stress.
- Unrealistic expectations and comparisons to past holidays amplify disappointment and emotional fatigue.
- People living with mental illness are disproportionately affected, with many reporting worsening symptoms during the season.
- Seasonal mood disorders and bipolar-related vulnerabilities highlight how reduced daylight and disrupted routines can compound risk.
- Increases in alcohol use and overdose rates suggest that some individuals cope with holiday stress through harmful behaviors.
- Year-over-year increases in reported stress indicate that holiday-related mental health challenges are not easing over time.
Ways to Protect Mental Health During the Holidays
While this should not be taken as medical advice, general steps to consider include:
- Setting realistic expectations and giving yourself permission to opt out of events when needed.
- Practicing simple stress-reduction tools, such as deep breathing, to regulate emotional overload.
- Maintaining basic routines that support sleep, nutrition, and physical health.
- Limiting exposure to social media if comparisons increase stress or self-criticism.
- Reaching out to a trusted person, support group, or mental health care provider if feelings of loneliness or overwhelm intensify.
How eCare Behavioral Institute Can Help
At eCare Behavioral Institute, we offer continuing education courses designed to help mental health professionals better understand and respond to the seasonal stressors, mood changes, and risk factors highlighted in these holiday mental health statistics.
Our accredited online courses emphasize practical, evidence-based strategies—such as CBT, DBT, trauma-informed care, and mood stabilization approaches—that clinicians can apply during high-risk periods like the holidays.
With flexible, self-paced learning and research-driven instruction, our courses support informed clinical decision-making and sustainable care, such as:
- Coping with Anxiety and Depression During the Holiday Season
- Mental Wealth: Addressing Financial Anxiety Through Trauma-Informed Mindfulness
- Dysfunctional Family Relationships: Overcoming Roadblocks & Challenges
Explore our course catalog to strengthen your expertise and better support clients when they need it most.
