Published in The Pawtucket Times on December 6, 2010

Got the Christmas spirit? Family get-togethers, watching football or even shopping and sharing of gifts may not be so easy as in previous years with the economy in turmoil, watching your retirement funds dwindle or worrying about the security of your job.

But experts say that coping with the “holiday blues” can be as easy as keeping your expectations reasonable this year. Be clear about what is really important to you. If your holiday does not play out like a Hollywood B movie, that’s ok. Family gatherings are not always perfect or reflect a “Kodak moment.” With this year’s economy, moderation becomes key when shopping for gifts for your loved ones. Support the local community by buying locally made items. Or gather the family together and make a joint decision to make a donation to a meaningful local charity that needs local financial support.

Eat, drink and try to be merry in moderation. When food shopping, use coupons, buy store brand items or shop at grocery stores like Price-Rite or Save-A-Lot.

If you are lonely, depressed or suicidal making it difficult to shake this year’s “holiday blues,” contact The Samaritans of Rhode Island, a nonprofit program dedicated to reducing the occurrence of suicide by providing a volunteer manned crisis hotline/ listening line the hopeless, alone and despairing.

Denise Panichas, The Samaritan’s executive director, notes that the communications based charity, established in Providence in 1977, teaches volunteers to effectively listen to people who are in crisis.

Conversations are free, confidential, most importantly anonymous.

A rigorous 21-hour training program teaches volunteers to feel and think without expressing personal judgments or opinions.

Last year, more than 9, 000 Rhode Islanders called The Samaritans, Panichas says. “It doesn’t matter what the problem is, be it depression, suicidal thoughts, seeking resources for mental health services in the community or just being lonely and needing to talk,” she said.

Panichas says that The Samaritans also offer other needed resources to caregivers and to older Rhode Islanders.

“We do community education programs and also have our peer-to-peer Safe Place Support Group for those left behind by suicide.” If you can’t seem to shake the “holiday blues” or just need someone to talk who cares, call The Samaritans’hotline at 401-272-4040. To learn more about the work of The Samaritans of Rhode Island or if you would like to volunteer or donate visit the agency’s website at http://www.samaritansri. org.

Herb Weiss is a Pawtucketbased free-lance writer who covers aging, health care and medical issues. He can be reached at hweissri@aol.com.