Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)—a phenomenon known as seasonal depression—affects nearly 40 percent of Americans, according to Cicely Alvis, Ballad Health’s clinical director, behavioral services. While “it’s still major depression; it’s just seasonal,” the condition is associated with decreased sunlight, decreased activity, and increased sedentary activity. Alvis noted that SAD is particularly worse in rural areas because of isolation.
A common misconception is when seasonal depression typically begins. Many believe the holidays are when people are most depressed, but Alvis emphasized that suicidal ideation actually goes up after the holidays pass. People do well during the holidays because “you’re surrounded by loved ones and family, and everyone is doing more together and more philanthropy. And then January comes. You get the financial strain of that period, and then you’re alone again. So January—that’s when it kind of gets even tougher for some people. January, February, and March are when it’s a challenging period.”
Management Strategies
Maintaining a proper diet, creating an ongoing exercise regimen, engaging in social activities, and unplugging from social media for periods of time are some of the ways individuals can help manage their mental health during these months. Beyond that, keeping an eye on overall health is important.
Another common misconception is that warmer months will magically eliminate depression. Alvis cautioned that “people get their elevated mood, and then that’s when it gets really risky for people because once people get a little bit of jolts from this depression, that’s when suicide rates actually go up.” She encouraged people to check on loved ones and friends regarding mental health, noting that “it can be really hard for people to ask for help.” If immediate assistance is needed, the national crisis line is 988.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://elizabethton.com/2026/02/04/ballad-health-clinical-director-behavioral-services-weighs-in-on-overcoming-seasonal-depression/