This time of year can be difficult for some people. The Holidays are over, the days are still short, and it’s cold.  

It makes sense to not be as happy as you would be during the summer, but at what point is it simply the winter blues, or something more serious like Seasonal Affective Disorder? 

“There is a critical clinical difference between being in a bit of a funk or, you know, dealing with those winter Blues and living with that seasonal affective disorder,” Tasha Collins, CMHA program director at the Weyburn Branch said. “Seasonal Affective Disorder impacts a really small percentage of the Canadian population. About 2 to 3 percent of Canadians may be affected by serious symptoms of depression. Winter Blues, I'm going to say about 15 percent of Canadians experience some mild symptoms of sadness or unhappiness associated with the dark kind of cold weather that we see in the winter." 

Collins said that she thinks it’s really important to do things for ourselves, such as implementing new things into our self-care, or trying new things.  

“It can be so many different things, but certainly things like eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, doing some exercise, getting out, and doing some kind of activity.” 

As for "Blue Monday," which takes place on the third Monday in January and is supposedly the saddest day of the year, Collins said it is a myth.  

“It was kind of said that it was the most depressing day of the year. It's not true. It's just kind of one of those things that that happened and then it was marketed that way.” 

She added that it’s traditionally thought of as the saddest days of the year, but there is nothing scientific to back that up. 

CMHA Weyburn has regular programming throughout the week, and some vocational, social, and recreational programming. More information can be found on their website.