Hopes for a season of goodwill to all

Multiply the Covid effect – kids off school early, working from home, the daily ‘Russian roulette’ of lateral flow tests – and that’s quite an impact we’re building up.

Why do we do it to ourselves? Of course Christmas can be, should be, a time of enjoyment, relaxation and time spent with families.

But get overwhelmed with the stresses and strains and it can become a challenging, or indeed lonely time of the year.

It’s revealing that the States is being very proactive this Christmas with showing care and attention for mental health support for the community.

‘Mental health doesn’t take time off at Christmas, and with all the added stresses that can come with the festive season it’s very important to care for your wellbeing,’ it has said.

Its new free support service over the Christmas and New Year period will allow people feeling particularly low and in need of help to attend the Emergency Department every evening until 2 January and can see a mental health professional who will lend a listening ear and offer ways to find ongoing support.

Who knows how well it will be used? It’s certainly a significant investment of time and resources being put into addressing a healthcare issue which, it is argued, is often over-stretched and unable to meet the demands placed on it.

Most islanders will wholeheartedly enjoy Christmas this year, whether their plans have been changed by Covid or anything else. But we should also take a moment to remember those who won’t.

Some will be preparing for a first Christmas without a much-loved family member. Others will know that they are preparing for their last.

The season of joy is often a season of sorrow for many.

All of us at the Guernsey Press wish all islanders the Christmas they are looking forward to this year.