'SILENT EPIDEMIC': 200,000 SEEN SPENDING CHRISTMAS ALONE IN COLORADO

An estimated 200,000 Coloradans will spend Christmas alone this year, according to a survey by a mental health organization. 

Nationwide, 14 million people will go solo, A Mission for Michael says. The survey of 3,000 Americans who live alone found 59% see Christmas magnifying loneliness more than any other time of year - and 56% describe the emptiness as a "silent epidemic."

"Because the media often portrays holidays as having to look a certain way, people may fear missing out if they see other people enjoying the season when they aren’t," mental health website Better Help says.

And yet, a solo flier can - with a little imagination - find silver linings. The Mission for Michael data show 28% of those surveyed plan watching holiday movies while 19% will treat themselves to special food or gifts.

[Photo: Wikimedia]