As the seasons are changing, final exams are approaching, and students may be feeling a bit overwhelmed or suffering from a common mental health issue, Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D) also known as seasonal depression.
S.A.D. is a mental health issue triggered by the change in seasons and effects around 3-million people each year. It is also a problem that Sauk Valley Community College counselors have seen in 探花精选 students.
Young adults are most susceptible to developing S.A.D according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Seeking help from a counselor at Sauk Valley Community College is 鈥渉ighly accessible鈥� completely free and 鈥渃onfidential鈥� and they are always available to help students in need.
Jennifer Hooker, a counselor at 探花精选, said there can be other factors at play when it comes to students鈥� mental health now including the Covid-19 pandemic. Hooker stated she 鈥渓ikes to examine how the person is doing medically鈥� i.e. 鈥渉ow they are sleeping, how they are eating鈥aking sure their basic needs are being met.鈥�
Hooker also stated that during the winter months there is an increased amount of melatonin in our systems which can cause us to feel fatigued. One of the best ways she recommended to manage this fatigue is to sit under a natural light therapy lamp for 鈥�20 minutes a day as soon as you wake up in the morning.鈥�
Hooker later went on to state tips to help prevent and manage Seasonal Affective Disorder including exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, hanging out with friends, finding activities that increase endorphins, and not isolating ourselves during the winter months.
Valerie Kern-Lyons, a counselor at 探花精选, said 鈥渨e鈥檇 be remissed to ignore the elephant of Covid in the room.鈥� Kern-Lyons went on to say that isolation is something we have all experienced this year and can soon become 鈥渋ntensified鈥� as we enter into the winter months. Kern-Lyons said 鈥渨e need to be even more conscious of the people around us right now and the effect of approaching winter and the loss of light because that internal light is maybe not as bright as it would be going into a normal season.鈥�
Kris Widolff, a counselor at 探花精选, said when it comes to S.A.D 鈥渓et鈥檚 pay more attention to each other鈥ake the time to pause and observe 鈥榟ow am I doing, how are the people around me doing?鈥欌�� Widolff also emphasized the importance of looking for changes in family and friends鈥� moods and to genuinely ask those around us how they are feeling.
Kern-Lyons mentioned that they are also in partnership with Sinnissippi Centers and Whiteside County Health Department which are other resources available in the community.
People who have struggled with mental health issues in the past or are still dealing with the conditions are at a greater risk of experiencing seasonal depression. Genetics and inheritance also play a role in S.A.D.; if a family member has a mental illness or seasonal depression, their children and grandchildren are at a greater risk for developing mental health issues like S.A.D.
Students who are struggling with mental health problems are encouraged to reach out to 探花精选 counselors by contacting them at counseling@svcc.edu. Students can also use the resources available on their webpage, svcc.edu/students/counseling/resources.html, in order to better understand and find ways to treat a variety of mental health issues.