RALEIGH, N.C. — The holiday season is not the jolliest time of year for everyone. In fact, it can be the most difficult time of year for people's mental health. 

What You Need To Know

• Three out of five people say their mental health is negatively impacted by the holidays 

• Sixty-four percent of people with mental illness say their condition is worsened during the holidays  

• Reasons for stress include financial burdens, family dynamics and isolation 

Three out of five people say their mental health is strained during the holiday season, while the National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that 64% of people with mental illness say their condition is worsened during this time of year. 

Tavrius Felton is professor at Wake Technical Community College and runs a mental health organization called Clouded Mentalities. Felton says financial stress, family dynamics and loneliness can cause people to isolate themselves. 

"We're used to gathering around family, sometimes that family isn’t here, they passed away or some dysfunctions happen, and the weather itself adds onto that, so some people avoid people," Felton said. 

Felton teaches an interpersonal communication class where he teaches his students how to manage conflict and their mental health. 

"My job is to bring the students in and help them not only manage it, but express it freely because not everybody had that outlet with their family and friends," Felton said. 

While in graduate school, Felton says he experienced his own battle with his mental health.

"I was putting a lot of pressure on myself," Felton said. 

He found an outlet through blogging, which eventually turned into an online mental health coaching platform called Clouded Mentalities. The virtual coaching provides a resource for people who maybe struggling with their mental health and need someone to talk to or connect with. 

"I do blogs and give people tips and try to create events that bring people outward," Felton said. 

He said having an outlet to express your emotions and feelings can make a difference. 

“Emotions are very temporary, and sometimes we make very permanent mistakes when we’re emotional, So that’s why I wanted to create those blogs and those tips to remind people of the things that make them happy," Felton said. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, there are resources to help, including the crisis text line. Text MHA to 741741 to be connected to a trained crisis counselor. The text line provides free, 24-hour support.