Greetings! Welcome to Healthy North, the first in a regular monthly feature with a mental wellness focus.
As one of our Northern Health Region’s mental health promotion facilitators, my long-term goals are to promote local community resources, increase public awareness and decrease stigma.
Most of us living in the beautiful North would agree that seasonal changes can affect our entire sense of well-being: winter, spring, summer or fall.
Although we may recognize that how we feel is affected by weather, most of us are able to carry on with our daily routines. Some people, however, are more vulnerable to the signs and symptoms that follow a seasonal pattern, and this is normal.
Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a well-defined clinical diagnosis related to the shortening of daylight hours. It interferes with daily functioning over a significant period of time. A key feature is that it follows a regular pattern, appearing each year as the seasons change and going away several months later, usually during spring and summer. Key symptoms include lethargy, low moods and anxiety, among others.
It’s thought that winter SAD may be caused by lack of sunlight, but this may not be the whole answer, as it’s also thought to run in families: 13 to 17 per cent of people who develop SAD have an immediate family member with the disorder.
About two to three per cent of Canadians will experience SAD in their lifetime. Another 15 per cent will experience a milder form of SAD, leaving them only slightly depressed but still able to live life without major disruptions.
People with SAD make up about 10 per cent of all depression cases and research indicates that people in more northern countries or cities are more likely to experience SAD than those who live close to the equator. The amount of daylight you receive changes as you move north, and that change is thought to be part of SAD.
Not only is SAD common, it is entirely treatable – yet it’s essential to know what you can do, including where to go for help. Be aware of local resources and crisis / emergency services, and if you or someone you know is struggling, suggest or access those who can help.
I caution you not to self-diagnose without speaking to a doctor or a health care professional, as there may be other causes. He or she can provide assistance and treatment options that would work best for you, which can range from self-help to counselling or medication, depending on individual need.
For more information, please contact Curtis Trubiak, mental health promotion facilitator for the Flin Flon Northern Health Region. Reception: 204-687-1350.
Signs and symptoms of SAD:
Disabling fatigue
Withdrawal from life
Lack of focus
Sleep difficulties
Joint and muscle pain
Irritability
Change in weight and appetite
Disheartened and defeated
Anxiety
Recklessness
Primary phone numbers and contacts for those struggling or in crisis:
Community Mental Health, Northern Health Region:
204-687-1350
Flin Flon General Hospital:
204-687-7591
Manitoba Suicide Hotline:
1-877-435-7170
Kids Help Phone Line:
1-800-668-6868
Flin Flon RCMP:
911 or 204-687-1422
Flin Flon Ambulance:
911 or 204-687-7171
Flin Flon Fire Department:
911 or 204-687-3100
Addictions Foundation of Manitoba toll-free Line:
1-866-291-7774
