The Hidden Side of the Holidays

The holiday season is often portrayed as joyful—but for many Black men, it can be one of the most emotionally and financially challenging times of the year.

In this powerful follow-up episode of Black Men Sundays, host Corie Sylvester Murray sits down once again with Dr. Izetta Briggs Bolling, a licensed clinical social worker, licensed mental health counselor, and master credentialed substance abuse counselor, to unpack the realities of mental health during the holidays.

Together, they explore how holiday stress shows up differently for Black men, including depression, anxiety, overspending, gambling, alcohol use, and unresolved family trauma. Dr. Bolling breaks down the clinical differences between recreational behaviors and emotional coping mechanisms, explains why financial setbacks hit harder in January, and offers practical strategies for setting boundaries, navigating triggering family gatherings, and protecting mental health without guilt.

This episode also addresses sobriety during the holidays, responsible hosting, recognizing warning signs in loved ones, and why choosing peace—even if that means skipping family—is sometimes the healthiest decision.

This conversation is honest, practical, and necessary—for anyone looking to survive the holidays with their mental health, finances, and dignity intact.