Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Awareness Month
- Diversity & Inclusion Ministry
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Observed during the winter months, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Awareness Month invites awareness and compassion for those whose mental health is affected by seasonal changes in daylight. In the Pacific Northwest, where daylight decreases dramatically in late fall and winter, it is estimated that nearly 10% of the population experiences clinical SAD.
This observance reminds us that mental health is shaped not only by our inner lives, but also by the rhythms of creation around us. As days grow shorter and nights longer, SAD Awareness Month encourages gentleness—with ourselves and with others—and attentiveness to practices that bring light, balance, and care during darker seasons.
Scripture
“For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness.” — Psalm 18:28
God is present in seasons of heaviness and fatigue, offering light even when darkness feels persistent.
Prayer
Lord, in the dark days of winter, inspire us to celebrate all that you have created—the sun, the moon, the stars, and the earth in every season. Help us find quiet moments to notice beauty not only in stillness, but also in wind, rain, and snow. Bring light to weary minds and hearts, and surround all who struggle with compassion, understanding, and hope.
Amen.
Action
Notice changes in mood or energy in yourself or others and take them seriously.
Seek light through time outdoors, movement, or spending time in well-lit spaces.
Practice care by allowing room for rest, creativity, and quiet reflection.
Reach out for professional support if symptoms persist or interfere with daily life.
Offer compassion to others, remembering winter affects people in different ways.
