Center for Hope Counseling of Fort Oglethorpe is hoping to bring happier holidays to those in need of a listening ear.
The nonprofit center serves residents of Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade and Walker counties.
"We counsel a lot of people that are stressed out about the holidays," said Center for Hope counseling coordinator Alicyne Roth. "So many people that come in for counseling are still out of work. Those with insurance are unsure if their insurance covers counseling."
Roth said she is seeing an influx of calls - just like usual - around this time of year. Some people find the center on Google, while others are referred by their pastor.
"We're seeing a lot of people due to substance use and abuse," said Roth. "Some is prescription drug abuse because they can't get away from what they were prescribed."
The main headquarters of Center for Hope is on the Hutcheson Medical Center campus, with a satellite location at North Georgia Health Care Center in Ringgold.
"People tend to get depressed in January because no one got along for the holidays," said Roth, adding that December and January are busy months for counselors. "Every day is a unique situation. I have mothers come here and fall apart on the sofa about their drug-addicted children. Some have trouble bonding with their children."
She said it's sad to see what's happening with the current generation of children getting mixed up with drugs.
Counselors at the center handle marriage and family, depression, anxiety, stress, addictions, anger management and career counseling. The center also helps with pre-trial and jail-diversion programs.
Center for Hope Counseling, at 500 N. Thomas Road, can be reached at 706-866-0917. To learn more, send an email to thecenterforhope@gmail.com.