As the holiday season draws near, so does the finish of the fall semester for college students.
With classes coming to a close and finals putting more than enough stress on college students, there is another major challenge playing into their mental health that they must face – seasonal depression.
Seasonal depression, short for seasonal affective disorder, is a type of depression that typically occurs when the seasons change and there is less sunlight provided in the day.
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include fatigue, depression, hopelessness, and social withdrawal.
It is important for students to know how to overcome these symptoms amidst the time of finals and for the sake of their mental well-being.
Sabrina Alvarez, a Penn State senior majoring in rehab and human services, shares how her major has helped her learn how to defeat the side effects of seasonal depression.
“We actually learn quite a bit about coping mechanisms,” said Alvarez. “Such as keeping those connections with people that you have been friends with or family, as well as just not giving up on things that you are interested in.”
Sabrina Alvarez, Penn State senior majoring in rehab and human services, sharing how to overcome seasonal depression.
In addition to finding coping mechanisms on their own, Penn State offers resources to aid the students in fighting mental health issues such as CAPS, short for Counseling and Psychological Services.
CAPS is the primary mental health provider for University Park students filled with professionals to help when the worst hits, things get out of hand, and challenges threaten to overcome their ability to cope. CAPS offers a handful of different services including wellness services, clinical services and crisis intervention.
CAPS, the primary mental health provider for University Park students.
At this time of year, seasonal depression can affect the instruction and hard working attitude of students.
Maddie McCabe, a Penn State senior majoring in digital and print journalism, is originally from Florida and shares how she has never experienced seasonal depression until moving to Pennsylvania for college.
“I never really understood what seasonal depression was ntil I came to Penn State,” said McCabe. “During the winter, it is kind of just like a little hard for me.”
The effects of seasonal depression can hit people in many different ways and volumes. McCabe admits that her relationship with seasonal depression is not as severe as others, but that it still affects her everyday routine.
“I wouldn’t say I get seasonal depression fully,” McCabe said. “But when it gets gloomy and it’s dark at 4:00 p.m., it makes me want to be inside and go to bed, it is pretty hard.”
Seasonal affective disorder goes past influencing only the student’s education, but additionally their way of life. However even in a time of darkness, colleges such as Penn State are finding ways to preserve the mental health of students and aid in their process of finishing out the semester strong.
Seasonal depression doesn’t just affect college students, it has the power to come in contact with anyone. In fact, nearly one in five adults across the United States live with some type of mental illness.
This time of year affects more than just a group of students or a handful of adults, but also the community as a whole.