But for many, Christmas is a time that is dreaded and brings great anxiety, and local support group Aware Defeat Depression is reaching out to those who feel depressed.

The group, which meets at Cloona House Oasis Centre in Poleglass on Wednesdays and at the Bridge Community Centre, Lisburn on Thursdays, is concerned about people at this time of year and extends an invitation to anyone who is experiencing anxiety at the thought of Christmas to come to the weekly meetings. There they can get the support of others who are having the same kind of experience.

David Hughes, who runs the local support groups, says that both the falseness and the loneliness of Christmas can take people to the brink and beyond and that people who suffer from depression can feel that this time of year is just too much to bear.

David commented: "Sometimes people's depression and anxiety stem from depressive illness that is in the family.

"Because people are all bundled in together at Christmas sufferers can feel almost claustrophobic and this can make their symptoms flare up. So children might associate Christmas with the times when dad or mum were particularly irritable, angry, or absent, taking themselves off to the garden shed, the bedroom or the pub.

"These unpleasant memories can stay with a child for the rest of its life and so each time Christmas comes around, even though that threat might no longer be there, the same old dread comes back. Sometimes we might even have forgotten the original events but we still experience the dread."

Information on all Aware events and support groups is available on the helpline: 08451 20 29 61.
• Aware is hosting a public talk and information event in Culturlann, 216 Falls Road, Belfast on Wednesday November 19 at 8.00pm. Guest speaker is Dr Owen McNeill, Mater Hospital and the title of his talk is 'To speak or not to speak - The psychotherapy question'.