Resources available to help seasonal affective disorder

These resources support the behavioral health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program.

Winter is here, and even though the winter solstice has passed, the lack of daylight continues to be noticed. This shortage of light noticed during the fall and winter months can cause a type of depression and change in mood known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

SAD is defined as “depression associated with late autumn and winter and thought to be caused by a lack of light.” According to the American Psychiatric Association, about 5 percent of adults in the U.S. experience SAD, and it typically lasts about 40 percent of the year. The association also reports that January and February tend to be the most difficult months for individuals in the U.S. with SAD.

Being aware of any new or increased symptoms of depression is important. According to Melissa Covarrubias, behavioral health counselor at the Center for Healthy Living (CHL) on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus, symptoms of SAD can include but are not limited to:

• Change in sleep.
• Increased feelings of guilt or worry.
• Increased susceptibility to illness (significant increase in getting sick with colds or flu).
• Irritability.
• Lack of concentration; inability to focus.
• Loss of interest in things that used to be enjoyed.
• Overall lack of energy; tiredness; sluggishness.
• Weight gain.

Covarrubias offers the following tips for those experiencing signs of seasonal affective disorder:

• Always make sure that you have access to a window to feel some of the natural light. On the especially gloomy days, it can be helpful to purchase a sun lamp to help mimic the sunshine you may be missing.
• It is also helpful to limit TV time and to create a productive routine of exercising, eating healthy and drinking enough water. If it’s too cold outside or you don’t feel motivated to go to the gym, you can access multiple different types of workout routines through your streaming services or even on YouTube. (See the Healthy Boiler Workshops webpage for virtual yoga and more; classes are posted as they are available.)
• Making sure that you are mindfully being productive and changing up your routine during these months can be beneficial and helpful to deter some of the symptoms you are experiencing from SAD.

MORE INFORMATION

See the recent article “Let the light in: Purdue HHS professor offers strategies for managing seasonal affective disorder” from the College of Health and Human Sciences.

For those who are unsure if what they’re experiencing is SAD, the BetterHelp online therapy platform offers an article titled “Do I Have SAD–Seasonal Affective Disorder?”

SupportLinc, the employee assistance program (EAP) for employees on the West Lafayette campus, provides a flash course on seasonal affective disorder as well as a tip sheet and article with more information. To schedule an appointment with a SupportLinc EAP counselor, call 888-881-5462 or log into the SupportLinc website (username: purdue).

Resources mentioned above and below support the behavioral health pillar – which advocates for integrated care programs that focus on behavioral health and community support – of Purdue’s Healthy Boiler Program.

ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

To assist faculty and staff

Review the Mental Health Resources webpage for a variety of available resources for faculty and staff, including EAP resources for all Purdue campuses, information on Purdue’s health plan coverage for mental health and substance abuse as well as behavioral health referral locations for the West Lafayette, Fort Wayne and Northwest campuses. 

To assist students

Faculty and staff, who work with students or have a student at home, can direct students to the resources below for behavioral health assistance. Note: LiveHealth Online Psychology and LiveHealth Online Psychiatry services are also available to Purdue students who are covered on a Purdue health plan. Mental health visits through LiveHealth Online are covered at 100 percent on the Purdue student health plan.  

Office of the Dean of Students

• Continuous network of support
• Services and information
• Presentations and trainings
• Student of Concern reporting link

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

• Therapy services at CAPS
• Self-help resources
• Group therapy
• CAPS YouTube channel
• NAMI On Campus – A free, virtual support group on campus.
• Thriving Campus – Service that provides students a way to search for mental health providers in many areas, locally and across the country.
• WellTrack – Interactive, self-help therapy app for students.

Questions

Questions can be directed to Human Resources at 765-494-2222, toll-free at 877-725-0222 or via email at hr@purdue.edu.