The Case for Halloween
Less stress, more connection, and surprising health benefits with Halloween.
We are moving rapidly into the holiday season. You can’t escape the signs. Stores are selling Halloween decorations, and (way too soon!) winter holiday decorations are sharing the shelves. As a mental health professional, holidays fascinate me. Holidays are intended for us to take a break from work so that we can reunite with family and celebrate traditions. That’s not always how it goes down, though. Our big holidays require a lot of logistics and work and, at times, management of complex family dynamics, and can get very expensive—in short, they can come with a lot of stress.
Halloween, on the other hand, despite not being a day off of work, comes with little stress and expectation, and unless you have to buy three rounds of Halloween candy because you keep eating it too early (not that I have any personal experience…), it’s not terribly expensive. Of interest, minus the candy, Halloween is potentially the holiday with the most mental health benefits.
Let’s talk about the surprising benefits of Halloween.
Establishes bonds with neighbors and community
There is no other holiday that gets you and your neighbors together like Halloween. Whether you are outside decorating your houses, walking around in the fresh air to trick-or-treat at each other's houses, or having a community get-together, Halloween creates involvement in your neighborhood, strengthening neighbor bonds. Is this important? Heck, yeah. Your neighbors are some of the most important people in your lives. Routine casual interactions with neighbors reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness and increase a sense of belonging, provide social and other tangible support, and, when you are able to help a neighbor, feelings of self-worth and value.
It is a true giving holiday
Halloween is truly a giving holiday. It is the only day of the year when you welcome friends, family, and strangers alike to your door. Some communities are so good at this that people who don’t live there show up to trick-or-treat. On no other day of the year is this true. And happily for you, there are physical and mental health benefits to the act of giving. Specifically, the act of giving has been associated with decreased heart rate, blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure; decreased cortisol levels (stress hormone); stimulation of neurochemicals associated with pleasure, mood and social connection (serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin); and decreased depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Routine giving has even been shown to increase longevity. And Halloween provides a chance to give directly to others, so if you are handing out treats, be ready for everyone. Have some no-sugar treats, dog treats, and a couple of extra trick-or-treat bags for that inevitable child who doesn’t have one. And if you are that full-sized candy bar house, please send me your address.
Halloween stimulates imagination, creativity, and social skills in children
Halloween provides developmental opportunities by encouraging make-believe and stimulating imagination through selection of their alter ego for the night, creating costumes, and decorating. Pretend play in particular has been linked to the ability to self-regulate, because it draws on attention, working memory, adaptability, and impulse control, and creativity is associated with better visual processing and verbal short-term memory and working memory. Additionally, Halloween facilitates structured social interactions with a significant number of people, copious practice of social etiquette and manners (please and thank you!), and sharing behavior (or possibly intense negotiations with siblings over the best stuff). These types of experiences throughout childhood are pivotal to cognitive, social, and emotional development, and, thus, from a developmental perspective, Halloween should be considered an action-packed opportunity.
It’s an easy holiday
Halloween doesn’t involve travel, copious amounts of time, and logistics to buy presents for, feed, and house the entire family, and, as holidays go, can be done fairly inexpensively. Halloween has a fascinating history, but over time has evolved into what we see today: a fun holiday when we can pretend to be someone or something else, scare each other in the name of fun, and of course indulge a little.
So—keep it appropriate, embrace your creativity, have some fun, enjoy the developmental benefits for your kids, don’t forget the dog, get outside, breathe the fresh air, talk to your neighbors, and enjoy the holiday with the least stress.
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"I'M FINE": LANCÔME LAUNCHES A GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO BREAK THE SILENCE ON WOMEN'S MENTAL HEALTH
NEW YORK, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Every day, millions of women answer the simplest of questions: "How are you?", with the same two words: "I'm fine." But behind those words can lie a very different reality, one in which women are silently struggling with their mental well-being.
Today, approximately one in three¹ women will face an anxiety or depressive disorder in their lifetime, twice as many as men, and many feel unable to speak out.
"I'm Fine" Global Initiative
"I'm Fine" Global Initiative
This is why Lancôme is taking action with the "I'm Fine" program, developed globally alongside the leading non-profit mental health organization ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America) and brought to life in the U.S. in partnership with HealthyWomen, the nation's leading non-profit dedicated to educating and empowering women to make informed health decisions. Together, these trusted organizations help women prioritize their mental well-being by encouraging them to check in with themselves, recognize the early signs of anxiety and depression, and feel empowered to seek support when they need it.
An Exclusive Global Study Reveals the Hidden Burden Behind "I'm Fine"
In partnership with Ipsos, one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, Lancôme surveyed women across various countries in 2025 and 2026, revealing the true extent of this hidden struggle. The findings are clear: 80% of women admit to saying "I'm fine" when they are not (up 4 points since 2025) and 72% say they regret having hidden how they truly felt.
Mental health remains deeply difficult to talk about. Over 60% of women find it hard to speak openly about their mental well-being, a higher barrier than even other health topics long considered taboo, such as fertility (54%) or menopause (48%).
Women face gender-based factors that put their mental well-being at risk across all life stages and cultures: sociocultural pressures such as mental load and unequal domestic responsibilities, but also by physiological changes during the postpartum period, perimenopause, and menopause.
Yet many women feel unable to speak up. The most common reason is not wanting to burden others (52%), a finding that speaks to how deeply women tend to put those around them before themselves. Fear of not being understood or supported adds another layer (29%). But women also hold themselves back: 38% believe they must cope alone, 31% do not want to appear vulnerable, and 29% feel pressure to always project a positive image.
Supporting Women to Better Care for Their Mental Well-Being and Move Forward with Optimism
At Lancôme, the belief is that optimism can be a choice, a conscious and courageous opportunity to see life on the positive side and move forward, especially for women. Yet optimism can be fragile and is becoming harder to reach for so many women who are facing gender-based pressures while struggling with their mental health behind closed doors. Supporting mental health is the natural extension of this belief and Lancôme wants to ensure that every woman has the strength to choose optimism.
"As a nurse, mom, and CEO, I've seen time and time again that when women say, 'I'm fine,' they're often struggling in silence. Mental health is connected to every stage of a woman's health journey, from pregnancy and menopause to cancer and chronic illness. We commend Lancôme for bringing these conversations into the open and are proud to help more women take that first step toward checking in on their mental well-being," said Beth Battaglino, RN-C, CEO of HealthyWomen.
Through our U.S. partnership with HealthyWomen, the "I'm Fine" program will be amplified to help provide women with thoughtful articles to evaluate their mental health, while sparking meaningful conversations. By joining forces, Lancôme and HealthyWomen are working to reduce stigma, encourage women to seek help, and empower them to prioritize their mental well-being with confidence.
"Beauty is not only about how we look: it is deeply linked to how we feel, how we connect, and how we lift each other up. In a world that often tries to silence women, we must act," said Vania Lacascade, Lancôme Global President. "With about one in three women experiencing anxiety and depression in their lifetime, this is not a distant problem: it is affecting our mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends. Yet these issues remain hidden and under-addressed. At Lancôme, we feel a profound responsibility to bring this conversation into the light. We must act before women reach a breaking point by supporting them to check in on themselves and recognize the early signs of anxiety and depression."
The "I'm Fine" program focuses on anxiety and depression, two of the most common mental health challenges for women², and is built on two core pillars:
Raising Awareness – a first step toward breaking the stigma around women's mental health.
The "I'm Fine" campaign sends a clear message: women deserve to take care of their mental health, and speaking openly about it is the first step. To amplify this message globally, Lancôme is bringing together its most iconic brand ambassadors. Demi Moore, Christy Turlington, Zoé Saldaña, and Vanessa Kirby are sharing their own personal stories to help rewrite the narrative around women's mental health and inspire all women to do the same. Watch the campaign video HERE.Promoting Prevention –through tangible, impactful tools, available on a dedicated platform – IMFINE.COM –designed to guide women through a clear, three-step journey:
Check in on yourself —Lancôme will offer free, confidential access to two peer-reviewed self-assessment tools — GAD-7 (for anxiety) and PHQ-8 (for depression). Clinically validated, these tools help identify early signs of risk and help support timely intervention.
Reflect on yourself — Based on their results, women are then given access to a host of articles offering helpful perspectives on mental well-being.
Connect with the community — To foster a sense of shared experience, women are encouraged to connect through powerful testimonials from other women around the world who are sharing their own stories.
"Today, approximately one in three women will experience an anxiety or depressive disorder in their lifetime. This is a global public health issue we can no longer afford to ignore", said Dr. Helen Blair Simpson, Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), Director of the Center for OCD and Related Disorders and ADAA Ambassador for Women's Mental Health.
"This partnership is a collective commitment to dismantle the barriers of stigma and delayed care, and to empower women around the globe. Prevention is power. Early detection is critical. These tools empower women to understand what they are feeling, take action early, and prevent challenges from becoming overwhelming crises."
A Global Movement for Women's Mental Health
The "I'm Fine" initiative will launch globally in October 2026 right before World Mental Health Day, beginning with the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, followed by an expansion into North Asia, the UAE, and Australia in March 2027. By 2030, the program aims to have helped empower three million individuals globally to recognize the early signs of anxiety and depression.
The mission is supported by renowned local non-profit partners, including Mental Health Innovations in the UK, Telefono Amico in Italy, Psycom in France, and HealthyWomen in the US, who will help amplify the campaign's message and encourage women to take the self-assessment. The IMFINE.COM platform will be adapted to each local market, with culturally relevant resources.
About Lancôme
Since its creation in 1935, Lancôme has inspired women of all generations to embrace beauty with confidence guided by a spirit of fearless optimism. A true powerhouse of progress, Lancôme blends innovation with emotion, pioneering skincare with breakthrough science & tech for a fully integrative approach; makeup artistry to make individuality shine and fragrance sensoriality to ignite emotion and joy.
About the ADAA
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) is committed to preventing, treating, and curing anxiety disorders and depression through evidence-based resources, professional insights, and scientific research.
About HealthyWomen
HealthyWomen is the nation's leading independent, non-profit health information source for women. HealthyWomen.org was the first website to comprehensively address women's health and wellness issues and continues to educate women to make informed health decisions by providing objective, fact-based information. For nearly 40 years, women have turned to HealthyWomen for answers to their most important healthcare questions. To learn more, please visit www.HealthyWomen.org. Follow HealthyWomen on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
SOURCE Lancôme
World Mental Health Day
Tomorrow, October 10th is World Mental Health Day.
It is an opportunity to pause and prioritize your mental health. Take a 10-minute walk, text a friend you haven’t spoken with recently, step away from your phone, write down a few things you’re grateful for, or make time for an activity that helps you relax. You can also check in with someone you care about or learn more about mental health resources in your community.
Suicide Prevention Month
A call, a text, an attempt to reach out, that’s not a small thing. For some people, it's everything. Connection keeps people alive. Call, text, or chat: 988lifeline.org
#SuicidePrevention #StrongerTogether #SPM2026
Three Ways Autumn Promotes a Happier Frame of Mind
Apples, pumpkins, and sweater weather. Autumn is a great time of year to get healthier. The season brings a bounty of nutritious vegetables and fruits, and cooler temperatures are ideal for many outdoor physical activities. What may be less apparent — but just as important — are the ways in which autumn promotes a frame of mind that’s conducive to mental well-being.
Embracing Change
Change is one of the defining characteristics of the season. Temperatures drop, leaves change color, and the days gradually grow shorter. That makes fall a natural time to rethink your attitude toward changes in your daily life and relationships, says Melissa Gratias, Ph.D., a productivity coach, author, and speaker with a doctorate in industrial and organizational psychology.
“Some people respond to change in a way that’s similar to how they respond to a significant loss — with grief,” says Gratias. “Their feelings are normal and understandable, but to be resilient and happy, these individuals need to move through grief toward acceptance.”
Fall is an annual reminder that change has pros as well as cons. “Sure, the leaves die and fall off the trees, but they also become mulch for new growth,” says Gratias. “In the same vein, sure, your teenaged kids may be acting moody and irritable lately, but they are also laying a foundation for independence.”
Fostering Mindfulness
Depending on where you live, fall may offer a welcome respite from the summer swelter. Fall days are often not too hot, not too cold, but just right for spending time out in nature.
Research suggests that it may be easier to tap into mindfulness amid natural surroundings. The authors of a review article published this month in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health looked at 25 relevant studies. They found that mindfulness interventions in natural settings were moderately more effective than those in manmade settings.
“Nature is an amazing guide to grounding in the present moment,” says Julianne Schroeder, M.S., LPC, RYT, a licensed professional counselor, registered yoga teacher, and speaker. “That’s important because a lot of emotional and mental distress comes from either rehashing past events or worrying about the future. Practicing mindfulness retrains your brain to be in the here and now.”
To help you get started, Schroeder shares this mindfulness exercise to try on a fine fall day:
Go outside.
Notice what you can see around you; for example, you might note and name the varied, vibrant colors of the leaves.
Observe what you can physically feel in the moment; for example, your breath moving in and out, the firmness of the ground beneath your feet, the coolness of a breeze.
Listen to what you can hear around you; for example, the rustling of leaves, the sound of squirrels scurrying about.
Stay as long as needed.
Return to your day feeling calmer and more centered.
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Renewing Connections
“Fall is a wonderful time for traditions that bring people together,” says Annie Hsueh, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in Southern California who specializes in couples therapy. And it’s not just about Thanksgiving, she notes. Every fall, a family might visit the same pumpkin patch or a group of friends might get together for a tailgating party.
“Social connectedness is great for emotional health,” Hsueh says. Traditions that include others help strengthen social bonds, create shared memories, and provide a sense of continuity. In the days leading up to the event, they also give you something to look forward to — and Hsueh says the anticipation alone may help you get through a hard day.
One caveat: “It’s important to be flexible and know that traditions can evolve over time,” Hsueh says. Some might even fade away entirely, but that’s fine because traditions are a renewable psychological resource. You can always make this the first year for a brand-new fall tradition.
Healing doesn’t happen overnight, it is cultivated. Families, friends, schools, workplaces, and communities all play a role in helping recovery grow after a suicide attempt or suicide loss. Call, text or chat with 988. https://988lifeline.org
#YouAreNotAlone #SPM2026 #988Lifeline
