Students walking through bridge. Photo by Raye M. White.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Seasonal Affective Disorder — also known as S.A.D. — is a “type of depression characterized by a recurrent seasonal pattern.”
Phillip Jacob is an English major at UAA and said he was somewhat familiar with the specific form of depression even though he did not know anyone that may suffer symptoms. Jacob said spending time with friends and family, attending therapy sessions and finding hobbies can help improve mental health.
Anne Gutsch is an art major who said she felt S.A.D. does slightly affect her mental health during the winter. Gutsch said she is always tired in the morning as there is no sunlight to wake her up — by evening, she said she is even more tired. “I’m like a plant, I need photosynthesis,” said Gutsch.
Gutsch said fun crafts, social events, and lounging in the Pride Center with new people are all healthy ways to become more involved in the UAA community.
Gutsch said walking is a great form of exercise that could help improve mental health and S.A.D. symptoms. “The best exercise is the one that you will do. Exercise doesn’t have to be this really intense workout … you can walk or do yoga,” said Gutsch.
Madison Berga, a physical therapy major, said many people in Alaska talk about S.A.D. and how it affects residents more in the winter.
While she has not personally been impacted by the condition, Berga said that as the days get shorter and the winter months become colder, evening classes become much more difficult when it has already been dark for hours.
Berga emphasized that one of the best ways to combat S.A.D. during the semester is to study with friends instead of studying alone at home.
Berga said improvements UAA could make to improve the mental health of students could be more free activities, such as the Swing Dancing event last year.
“Late night activities, to get you out and meet people would be fun if they did more of that,” said Berga.
Ben Malouf is a pre-med student who said that while he is unsure if S.A.D. has impacted him or a family member personally, he is sure some people he knows struggle silently.
Malouf said if he stayed indoors and did not have hobbies such as skiing, winter hiking and backpacking, he would be more likely to experience S.A.D. symptoms.
“I think what you have to do is reach out from your immediate personal circle and branch out, which is the hardest part, that first branching out. Then, once you start branching out into other circles and meeting people that do different things, it kind of gets easier.”
Keira Wissa is a psychology major who has heard of S.A.D. through friends who have become more depressed in the winter months. Wissa said S.A.D. has personally affected her much more this season.
“The only way I get through the winter is snowboarding and it’s cold and dark but there’s no snow. I’m never outside. I’m losing my mind,” said Wissa.
Wissa said the earned gratification of being active and releasing serotonin through exercise is very good for mental health.
Wissa said inclusivity and a feeling of community on campus could be improved.
“I feel like you have to work hard to be involved here.”
She attributed the lack of community and social inclusion she feels as a freshman at UAA to the large separation between campus buildings and not seeing familiar faces.
“It takes a lot of work to be happy. There’s no beating around the bush, you have to find something to keep you sane,” said Wissa.
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