As the holiday season approaches, Holland Hospital’s Outpatient Behavioral Health Services is stepping up to support community members facing heightened stress. Therapists Heather Holt, a licensed social worker, and Rachel Hinken, the dialectical behavior therapy group coordinator, explain how simple practices of gratitude and mindfulness can provide relief for those struggling with financial worries, health concerns, and the emotional weight of the holidays.
Understanding the challenges
Holt notes that many patients cite practical obstacles such as the cost of gas for appointments, while others grapple with uncertainty surrounding Medicaid changes. “Folks who are on disability and now need to look for jobs or volunteering, and those who haven’t worked in years, are feeling the pressure,” she says. Additionally, the political climate has become a source of anxiety for some, prompting individuals to seek a safe space for conversation within behavioral health services.
Mindfulness and gratitude as coping tools
Both clinicians emphasize that while external circumstances may be beyond immediate control, individuals can choose where to focus their attention. “Mindfulness is about being present in the moment and not judging,” Hinken explains. Holt adds that research links positive experiences to increased serotonin and reduced cortisol, which can improve both lifespan and quality of life.
Practical suggestions include writing three things you are grateful for each day, noticing the sensations of everyday activities like brushing teeth, and intentionally savoring moments with family. “It’s okay to slow down and appreciate the simple things,” Holt advises.
Kindness Rock Garden brings community connection
For the past six months, patients and staff have contributed to a Kindness Rock Garden on the hospital campus. More than 60 painted rocks now display uplifting words, phrases, and images. The activity serves as a mindful project, allowing participants to focus on a single task while creating something that can brighten a stranger’s day.
Visitors are encouraged to take a rock, leave one behind, or pass one along in the community. Hinken recounts finding a rock at a grocery store, bringing it home, and gifting it to her mother, noting that “spreading the sunshine, spreading the joy” is a simple yet powerful way to connect.
Roots in suicide prevention
The garden’s inspiration traces back to a suicide‑prevention conference in Boyne City, where participants crafted kindness rocks in memory of a young woman who died by suicide. Holt, moved by the experience, wanted to bring that sense of hope to Holland. “You never know what one word can help,” she says, emphasizing the garden’s role in fostering conversation about mental health.
Looking ahead
Holt and Hinken encourage anyone feeling overwhelmed to reach out to the hospital’s behavioral health team. By integrating gratitude, mindfulness, and community‑building projects like the Kindness Rock Garden, Holland Hospital aims to provide practical, faith‑affirming support that aligns with the values of families and individuals seeking peace during the holidays.
Original reporting: FOX 17 WXMI Grand Rapids (local) — read the source article.
