For some it's not the happy holidays.
The Downtown Mission is reminding people who are experiencing unhealthy emotions that a free, confidential assistance program is available to help.
Director of the Distress Centre Rukshini Ponniah-Goulin says the holidays can be a time of stress, loneliness and depression, even for people who are normally content.
She says it's important for people to know there is help available.
"Definitely December and January, there is a typically higher volume calls that we experience during that time. The holidays are difficult for a lot of people, as well as January there is a lot of let downs and things like that, that people experience."
Ponniah-Goulin says mental health professionals point to social isolation, the changing seasonal pattern or grieving the loss of a loved one as leading issues during the holiday season.
"Sometimes when we have something difficult going on in our lives, maybe we'll reach out to a friend or family member. Unfortunately some people don't have that friend or family member to reach out to, or they don't feel safe reaching out to their friends and family members. So they would rather reach out to a service like ours which is completely confidential."
The Mission's Distress Centre provides support to people between the hours of 12 p.m. and 12 a.m., seven days a week at 519-256-5000.
It is supported by 70 volunteers and receives about 3,000 phone calls each year.
A text service was recently added for individuals who are not comfortable speaking by phone, and can be reached at 147147 or 741741.