Mental health is a major concern for all people, as it is just as important as physical health. This week, I researched seasonal pattern depression and its symptoms, treatments, and how we as teachers can help our students who suffer from it. Seasonal pattern depression is a subcategory of depression that only takes place during 1-2 seasons throughout the year and repeats yearly. It is usually due to the lack of sunlight during the darker winter months, but can occur during spring and summer as well (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2021). Seasonal pattern depression typically attacks women more often than men. It also tends to impact more people living in the north than the south, as northern areas face harsher, darker winters (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). While medication can be used to treat seasonal pattern depression, natural sunlight can also be a great remedy. Getting our students outside is quite difficult during the school day, especially with the colder weather of the winter (Connections Academy, 2023). However, a good 15 minute lesson outside is better than nothing, especially if it can save our students from mental health issues.
References:
Connections Academy. (2023, January 23). How online school can help students with seasonal affective disorder. Connections Academy®. Retrieved February 25, 2023, from https://www.connectionsacademy.com/support/resources/article/how-parents-can-help-students-with-seasonal-affective-disorder/
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2021, December 14). Seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved February 25, 2023, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Seasonal affective disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved February 25, 2023, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder
Hi Colleen, while reading your slide I thought another way that we can help our students who suffer from Seasonal Depression Disorder would be placing their seats next to the window. Doing this would expose the student to more sunlight and a view of outside. Of course, it can be difficult if the teacher suffers from it as well, so to counter that it could be a good idea to plan lessons that are engaging to the student and have kinesthetic components. It can also be beneficial to create space for the students to be able to acknowledge their emotions and sit with them. By allowing them to do this for the first 5-minutes of class it will allow them to reflect on their day and allow their minds to be ready for the lesson.
ReplyDeleteHi Colleen,
ReplyDeleteI found your slide on Seasonal Pattern Depression to be very helpful in further understanding the condition and how to respond to it. As someone who didn’t know all too much about SPD, I was curious to see that changes in seasons and the reduction of sunlight can lead to people falling into a depression. That truly is so devastating to hear, as the process of going from one season to the next and having periods of less sunlight is a natural occurrence in our world, meaning it isn’t really going anywhere. As a result, I feel there needs to be a great deal of emphasis on the treatment of this depression and the role that teachers play for their students struggling with SPD. I really liked the method you provided of assigning homework that can be completed outside. I feel as though that may allow the students to engage more with their environment and, as a result, enhance their relationship with the outdoors.