OptionB.Org Launches #OptionBThere for the Holidays 2018 to Help People Be There for Loved Ones During the Holiday Season

PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- OptionB.Org is launching the second annual #OptionBThere for the holidays, a program to help people be there for friends and loved ones facing adversity this season. Whether someone is struggling with illness, separated from family, coping with loss, or facing any number of challenges, this time of year can be particularly difficult, and sometimes it's hard to know what to do to offer support. At optionb.org/holidays, people will find a range of resources, from a new set of holiday cards by PAPYRUS to tips on small ways they can make a big difference for others to a guide for hosting an "all feelings welcome" dinner from experts who know.

"One of the most meaningful gifts you can give this holiday season is being there for loved ones who need your support the most," said Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and founder of OptionB.Org. "But often it's a gift we're not sure how to give. #OptionBThere is about helping people find the words and actions that show family members and friends they are not alone during difficult times."

New research conducted by OptionB.Org and SurveyMonkey shows that the holiday season can be particularly difficult for people who are facing adversity. Sixty-one percent say the season is more emotionally challenging than other times of the year—and nearly half say they do not feel very supported by the people closest to them during this time. And while 84 percent of people know someone who has dealt with hardship, only 35 percent are more likely to reach out to support a loved one or friend during the holiday season.

The most common reason people don't reach out is because they don't know what to say or do. However, research shows that small steps can make a big difference. Fifty-five percent of people who are struggling say that it would be helpful if friends and loved ones spent time with them, and almost 40 percent feel the same way about receiving a text message or card or being able to talk about what they're feeling. These key findings are listed below and can also be found at optionb.org/holidays.

To make it easier for people to make these small but meaningful gestures of support, OptionB.Org partnered with PAPYRUS to create a new set of holiday greeting cards that acknowledge how loved ones really feel. Data show that 60 percent of people who've experienced adversity say that the sentiments of joy and happiness expressed in holiday cards do not reflect their experience of the holidays very well. This new set of cards aims to provide a helpful alternative. One lets the recipient know it's okay to opt out of participating in holiday events, while another acknowledges how hard this time of year can be after losing a loved one.

"PAPYRUSOnline.com consistently provides new and significant ways for people to connect with others, show they care, and make an impact," said Dominique Schurman, CEO of PAPYRUS. "This holiday season, we're excited to team up with OptionB.Org in offering a collection of supportive and honest greeting cards for those going through a difficult time."

"Most people who have experienced adversity say the holidays are more emotionally challenging than other times of the year, but the way we talk about this season doesn't necessarily reflect that. Everything from the greetings people use to many of the holiday cards we find on the shelves can be very one-dimensional," said Rachel Thomas, president of OptionB.Org. "We hope #OptionBThere will make it easier to talk about adversity—no matter the time of year—and give the gift of support to the people we love this holiday season."

At optionb.org/holidays, people will find actions big and small they can take to help friends and family who are struggling this time of year. These include tips for being a supportive "plus one" at holiday events, ideas for meaningful gifts, and suggestions for how to continue to be there after the season is over. They'll also find advice from experts in child development, behavioral economics, and clinical psychology on how to support loved ones facing specific challenges such as addiction and loneliness. And for parents, there are strategies for building empathy in their kids during this season of giving. Members of the Option B community have contributed personal insights based on ways their loved ones helped them through difficult holidays. Visitors can also sign up to get information delivered directly to their phone or inbox.

People coping with adversity themselves can also find helpful resources—from advice on navigating the holidays while under financial stress to steps they can take to notice and appreciate the positive moments during the season. And they can connect with others who are experiencing similar challenges in an Option B Group. These Groups bring people together to support one another around specific types of adversity, such as living with health challenges, getting through family crises, and helping kids build resilience. There are more than 35,000 members in OptionB.Org's Groups and over 90 percent say they attribute a positive outcome in their life to Option B.

OptionB.Org is committed to helping people build resilience, both in the face of adversity and in their everyday lives, and support from others is central to this mission. Research shows that social support leads to improved physical and psychological health and that caring relationships help build resilience. #OptionBThere is an ongoing program with new expert materials added throughout 2019.

KEY FINDINGS FROM THE #OPTIONBTHERE SURVEY CONDUCTED BY OPTIONB.ORG AND SURVEYMONKEY:

The holidays are not always happy for everyone. The holiday season can be particularly difficult for people who are facing adversity such as losing a loved one, coping with illness, or struggling financially. Sixty-one percent say the season is more emotionally challenging than other times of year, and while they still feel excitement and joy, they're more likely than others to feel lonely, sad or worried.

Many people are not getting enough support during the holiday season. Forty-three percent of people who've experienced some type of adversity say they don't feel very supported by the people closest to them during the holidays.

Friends and family know they're falling short. Eighty-four percent of people know someone who has dealt with hardship—but only 35 percent are more likely to reach out to support a loved one during the holiday season. The top two reasons people don't reach out are because they worry about what to say or don't think loved ones want to be reminded of their struggle.

But it is not that hard to get this right. Fifty-five percent of people who are struggling say it would be helpful if friends and loved ones spent time with them. Almost 40 percent feel the same way about receiving a text message or card or being able to talk about what they're feeling.

About OptionB.Org

OptionB.Org is an initiative of the Sheryl Sandberg & Dave Goldberg Family Foundation. Our goal is to help people build resilience, both in the face of adversity and in their everyday lives, and better support loved ones who are coping with challenges. At optionb.org, people can find and share personal stories, join groups for solidarity and support, and access resources to help them build resilience. The Sheryl Sandberg & Dave Goldberg Family Foundation is a private operating nonprofit organization under IRS section 501(c)(3), which also runs LeanIn.Org and the Dave Goldberg Scholarship Program.

CONTACT: press@optionb.org

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