 Hi, and welcome to Sitrep, army news that affects you. It's the holiday season which brings a time of family, friends, food, and festivities. But this time of year can also be challenging. Many people find themselves dealing with the holiday blues and become sad, lonely, and even depressed. There's many reasons people find themselves struggling during the holidays, reminders of lost loved ones, pressure to feel merry, and financial hardships are just a few. But military families can add one more important reason to that list, deployments. Coping with deployments can take a toll on emotional well-being even under normal circumstances, and this can be increased if a service member is away from their family during this important time. So what are some signs that you or a loved one may be suffering from the holiday blues? While some obvious clues are withdrawing from fun and social activities, reflecting on loss, ambivalence, excessive drinking, unrealistic expectations, or a sadness that affects the quality of life. If you or someone you know seems to be feeling the blues, you can do one or all of the following. Take it one day at a time. Think of it as Thanksgiving Day or New Year's Day. It can be easier to think, I can get through today, rather than thinking, I can get through this whole season. Get in touch with family members by Skype. Write letters. Visit. Make phone calls. Anything that you need to get in touch. Avoid retail therapy. Fight the temptation to overspend, as this can lead to increased stress when the credit card bills arrive. Have fun. It's normal to be social during the holidays, even if your loved one is not available to attend these events with you. Ask for help. You don't need to face it alone. Depend on family and friends to help you. And most importantly, reach out. There's anonymous chat lines that are available 24-7 to give you the opportunity to talk without embarrassment, no matter your level of sadness. For more information and resources, go to militarymentalhealth.org. And if you have a question or topic idea for SITREP, let us know on Facebook and Twitter. Sgt. Martin, signing off.