Avoid talking politics or religion at the Christmas dinner table, mental health charity says

Eva Osborne

People are being encouraged to prioritise their mental health this Christmas and to avoid engaging in conversations involving potentially inflammatory topics.

Chief executive of Turn2Me, Fiona O'Malley, said people should generally avoid discussing politics, religion, and money at the dinner table.

"They're generally the topics that can cause division. So, if you pivot into other topics, that can be a good way to keep tensions low," she said.

"Toxic family dynamics can be emotionally draining and that you do have the right to set boundaries and to prioritise your own mental health."

The mental health charity said this time of year can magnify tensions, especially in family dynamics where "unresolved issues or dysfunctional patterns exist".

Those who are forced to socialise with 'toxic' family can find Christmas particularly tough, the charity said.