Harsh weather and short days can brings despondency – Seasonal Affective Disorder – for students at the University of Guelph-Humber as they push to turn in final assignments and examinations. Fortunately, mental health resources on campus help students refuel their energy and motivation.
You wake up in the morning, there is no sun shining through your window. Instead, grey clouds weigh down the sky. The trees are bare, and the world feels like it is lacking in colour. You only have what feels like a few hours until night falls again and you must repeat this whole process. ‘Why even get up?’ Many ask themselves. ‘Maybe I should just stay in bed.’
Cold months in Canada have negative effects on many. With the short and little number of sunny days compared to the amount of cold, cloudy and dark nights, the winter months seem to be never ending. For many, this is a struggle they must face every year.
About 15 per cent of Canadians say they have been affected by seasonal depression at least once in their life. Almost one in four or about 23 per cent of those individuals are younger people, including students.
Ella Barter, a 20-year-old student who struggles with seasonal depression said, “the hardest part of my day is finding the motivation to get out of bed”.
Seasonal depression, often referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at a specific time of the year. Most suffer during the fall and winter months when the days are shorter, and the weather is colder. Some symptoms of it include; an ongoing sad mood or feeling, change of sleep patterns, loss of appetite, lack of concentration and a lack of overall motivation.
All the areas seasonal depression effects are crucial among post-secondary youths. As a result, their academic career might severely plummet as they endure some of the difficult months of their year. With depression severely affecting students, it is understandable why many may be struggling with completing school assignments on time or even attending classes as they must face battles to get out of bed every day.
Caroline Legault, a registered therapist and youth social worker, validates the feelings of those who struggle during these months and shared her busiest times of the year. She reveals students struggle most during the holidays and around midterm season. “For post-secondary (students) you really see it leading to midterms, especially during the first semester. There’s a crunch time where it seems like … all tests and evaluations at the same time and projects, everything seems unbearable and almost impossible so definitely an increase.”
The Humber Student Wellness Centre provided information following the same insight. “Our wellness education and programs team often gets lots of engagement from learners in October, but this number steadily declines as learners get busy with assignments and final tests.”
When schoolwork alongside the daily struggle of finding motivation to get up is combined, many students feel as if they are ready to give up instead of facing these battles.
Legault emphasized the most important thing to remember during this time is that you are not alone. “Find motivation, find things you believe are worth getting up for and push yourself to do it”.
Barter, the 20-year-old student, shared her daily motivation to get up: “My dog Henry” she said. “I have to get up to walk and feed him, some days that is the only reason I get up.”
Many students who are currently dealing with such predicament can seek help from mental health services offered on campus facilities. The University of Guelph-Humber and Humber college offers support through the Student Wellness & Accessibility Centre (SWAC).
A representative revealed strategic intervention efforts used to assist students which includes counselling and providing a safe space for individuals to effectively communicate their feelings. Ways to contact the Students Wellness Centre are through email swac@humber.ca or through phone number; 416-675-5090.
Students are also able to get help in person by walking into the Learning Resource Commons (LRC) on the second floor of Humber North campus. Other methods and strategies that Legault shared which can help students get through their toughest times are surrounding yourself with loved ones and getting outside. In cases where students may feel the need for extra sunshine, light therapy lamps which mimic sunlight is a great option.
Most importantly remember you are not alone.