Health and Medicine: 1) 3 children died from flu complications this month in Ottawa area: health units; 2)When the holidays aren’t joyful: Coping with seasonal stress

1) 3 children died from flu complications this month in Ottawa area: health units

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Hannah Alberga, December 15, 2025

Public health says three children have died from influenza-related complications in Ottawa and eastern Ontario over the last two weeks.

Ottawa and Eastern Ontario Health Unit medical officers of health say the children were between the ages of five and nine.

The public health units say there has been a “rapid and significant” rise of Influenza A across Ontario, with much of the flu season still ahead.

The statement says the deaths are a “stark reminder” that the flu can lead to severe illness and that the flu shot is especially important for children, parents and caregivers.

A weekly surveillance report by the Public Health Agency of Canada says 37 people have died from influenza complications since August.

Officials are strongly urging those six months and older to get vaccinated before the holidays, as it takes about two weeks for protection against the flu to fully develop.

PHAC’s latest respiratory surveillance report says there have been 180 pediatric influenza-associated hospitalizations and 24 intensive care admissions since August.

For the week ending Dec. 6, the influenza test positivity rate was 20 per cent, up from 13 per cent the week before.

The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario said early this month that it saw eight times more kids testing positive for influenza in November this year than it did the same month last year.

Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.

2)When the holidays aren’t joyful: Coping with seasonal stress

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Newsroom, December 18, 2025

For many, the holiday season means carols, gatherings and festive cheer. But for others, the same weeks can bring loneliness, grief, financial strain or a sense of pressure that turns celebration into stress.

Dr. Carolyn Houlding, a psychologist at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, says the glossy image of happy families and perfect celebrations doesn’t match everyone’s reality. She notes that not everyone has family they feel safe with, or the financial comfort they’d like. In Canada’s darker winter months, even the weather can deepen the strain.

That combination can make the holidays anything but merry. A lot of people might just put on a fake face or a fake smile to get through the day.

Her advice: notice and acknowledge your feelings, and lean on people you trust instead of pretending everything is fine. That honesty can make it easier to get support from the people in your inner circle.

“It’s going to be better to kind of acknowledge your feelings and to be honest with people in your inner circle and that you can trust,” Dr. Houlding says, “they can give you a bit more support and maybe give you a little bit more of a buffer, or you can tell them how they can help.”

Practical ways to ease the holiday hump

Dr. Houlding offers a handful of approaches that others she works with have found helpful:

Create new traditions or focus on giving back. Volunteering or joining community gatherings can shift focus away from loss or isolation, and even boost spirits. Helping others can give many people a sense of purpose when the holidays feel empty.

Plan for the period after the holidays. For those who feel let down or lonely when festivities end, scheduling activities or time with people outside the usual circle can recharge energy and provide a smoother transition back to everyday life.

Spend time outdoors if possible. Exposure to daylight, light exercise and nature can help regulate mood—something especially relevant in winter.

If things feel urgent

Immediate mental health and addiction support (24/7)

9-8-8: Canada’s suicide prevention helpline for anyone in crisis or worried about someone else.

9-1-1: For emergencies requiring immediate assistance.

Kids Help Phone: Text 686868, call 1-800-668-6868, or visit KidsHelpPhone.ca.

Assaulted Women’s Helpline: 1-866-863-0511 | TTY: 1-866-863-7868.

Talk4Healing (Indigenous Women): 1-855-554-4325.

Huronia Transition Homes (Rosewood): Text 705-999-0012 (24/7) | Crisis Lines: 1-800-987-0799 (South Simcoe) | 1-800-461-1750 (North Simcoe).

Non-urgent mental health and addiction support

Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP): Free CBT-based services for adults experiencing depression, anxiety or trauma-related concerns. Visit therapyontario.ca.

Frontline Wellness: Mental health supports for health care workers and organizations. Visit waypointcentre.ca/services/frontline-wellness.

1door.ca: 24/7 online access to free counselling referrals.

Patient/Client and Family Council: Peer support at 705-526-4569.

North Simcoe Youth Wellness Hub: A safe space for youth ages 12-25 seeking support for mental health, substance use, employment, education and more. Visit waypointcentre.ca/services/north-simcoe-youth-wellness-hub.

Additonal health resources

8-1-1: Call or visit Health811.Ontario.ca for health advice from qualified professionals.

Virtual Urgent Care Clinic: Nurse practitioner support for non-life-threatening concerns, open daily from 1-9 p.m. for residents of Central Ontario. Visit regional-virtual-urgent-care.ca.

2-1-1: Connects residents to community programs, services and local supports.