City and County of Denver, CO
12/18/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/18/2025 16:22
DDPHE Blog: Staying Safe, Connected, and Supported this Winter
DDPHE Blog: Staying Safe, Connected, and Supported this Winter
Published on December 18, 2025
The winter season can be joyful - but it can also be exhausting and stressful, especially in the dark, cold months. The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) wants you to start the new year on a full tank, with tips to protect your mental and physical health.
Reach Out
You don't have to navigate tough moments alone. Friends, family, coworkers, and mental health professionals can help. If you need support, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7. Call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org.
Maintain Your Routine
Consistent sleep, hydration, balanced meals, and regular movement can help stabilize mood and improve mental well-being throughout winter. Our bodies naturally respond to seasonal changes, and shorter daylight hours can affect energy and motivation.
Honor Your Grief
Winter is filled with holiday events that can be difficult for anyone who has lost a loved one. Denver's Family Advocacy Support Team (FAST) recommends acknowledging your feelings, being present, and practicing self-compassion. Coping strategies like deep breathing, walking, meditation, journaling, or music can help.
Support Others
Use respectful, stigma-free language when talking about mental health - your words can make a real difference.
Stress, isolation, grief, and changes in routine can increase substance use for some people. It's important to look out for yourself and others. If you or someone you know uses substances, harm reduction practices can save lives: never use alone, test substances when possible, carry naloxone, and know the steps for responding to an overdose.
Colorado's Good Samaritan Law protects people who call for help during an overdose emergency.
Seeking help and reaching out to others can make a meaningful difference. Support a friend, check in on loved ones, and know that resources are available.
City and County of Denver, CO published this content on December 18, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 18, 2025 at 22:22 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]