there aint no such animal as folk wisdom..

One thing though, if you work with people with *serious* mental illnesses, like schizophrenia, the holidays are a problematic time. Usually due to strained or nonexistent family relationships, being lonely, and not being able to maintain their routine (too much is closed, including service sites).

So true!

Stress related illness very often occurs just after the stressors are removed.
Suicide rates say absolutely nothing about the extra vulnerability and pain of people with severe and enduring mental conditions, nor about other isolated individuals.
The article cited makes no claim whatsoever than for healthy, fortunate people to enjoy themselves. I would echo this. It would be utterly bizarre to suggest that this majority group would become clinically depressed or otherwise seriously mentally distressed (although a number with underlying problems may do so). I am a little concerned that the abundant evidence for the christmas/newyear's being a major stress upon vulnerable people seems to be implicitly denied here.