Podcast about Mental Health, Holidays & Election

Mental Health during the Holidays and Election Season in Aruba

​We had an amazing discussion with Carolina on her podcast, Sincerely Carolina, at Cool FM Aruba, where psychologists (io) Naziha Wever-Ras, Gionette Becker van Geest, and Antoniette Geerman joined us to share insights on managing mental health during the holiday and election season. As we all know, the election period has arrived unexpectedly during the holidays, bringing additional stress.

Naziha, with a master's in Child & Adolescent Psychology and extensive experience as a teacher and coach for children going through parental divorce, highlighted the importance of being mindful of the numerous events during this season—Sinterklaas, Christmas—which can distract young ones from school responsibilities in December. This can be a period where the children's concentration can be limited. She advised parents to avoid heated discussions about politics in front of children and encouraged schools and families to involve kids in learning about the Aruban election process in age-appropriate ways. She emphasized setting aside intentional time to bond with children without political influence, creating a balanced environment.

Gionette, currently doing her master in Health Psychology and extensive experience in pedagogy and family mediation, reminded listeners to take personal time to decompress, whether it’s a short walk in nature or a refreshing swim, to relieve daily stressors. She noted the increased exposure to political content, which often emphasizes negativity, and advised setting family boundaries, such as agreeing not to discuss politics during Christmas Eve. So send that out to the family group chat! She recommended establishing clear agreements within blended families about holiday schedules to reduce tension. 

Our host also pointed out that as the current generation, we influence young voters by modeling tolerance and openness toward different opinions. Antoniette, a GZ-psychologist, added that if friendships or relationships have been strained over political views, it’s essential to remember that these connections are based on more than just political opinions. She echoed the value of ‘repairing’ relationships, which Gionette supported, suggesting a gesture of kindness—like reconnecting with a friend who loves pineapple by bringing some from the store. Reconnecting on shared bonds can help restore meaningful relationships.

We also recognized that the holidays aren’t joyful for everyone. Some are dealing with loss, whether of loved ones, health, or other challenges, and the importance of finding connection in ways that feel right for each individual. As psychologists, we often see a rise in requests for urgent sessions during the holiday season. With the election overlapping, we wonder if this will further increase the need for mental health support or lead to more family disputes or traffic accidents. If you want to listen to the full podcast, click here.

We’ll be observant, and if anyone needs mental health support, they can sign up via our form. Wishing everyone a healthy start to the holiday season and a balanced election period.