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Avoiding the winter blues

  • Published
  • By Airman Leah Young
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - --  Members of Team McChord are busy, as a total force they are dealing with frequent deployments, sustained operations tempo, financial demands, cold weather and separation from their families during the holidays. All of these combined factors can cause untold stress. For some people, the weight of these tasks can bring on Seasonal Affective Disorder.

"Being away from my family is hard during the holiday season," said Airman 1st Class Seth Drake, 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron loadmaster. "Especially while deployed, because it doesn't even feel like Christmas here. I'm from Alaska, so I'm used to a ton of snow."

According to the National Mental Health Association, SAD is mood disorder associated with depression and related to seasonal variations of light.

"Most of the time, it's not necessarily the holidays that affect our patients, it's the winter season," said Maj. Michelle Link, 62nd Medical Squadron mental health element chief. "Seasonal Affective Disorder is what brings about most cases of holiday depression."

SAD affects half a million people every winter, peaking from December to January. "The Winter Blues," is the most common form of SAD.

"It just so happens that Christmas is in the middle of the winter season," said Major Link. "With the cold weather, gray skies and servicemembers being away from family during the holidays, symptoms of Season Affective Disorder begin to appear."

Symptoms of SAD may include a change in appetite, weight gain, drop in energy level, fatigue, tendency to oversleep, difficulty concentrating, irritability and anxiousness, increased sensitivity to social rejection, avoidance of social situations and a loss of interest in the activities.

If Wingmen, coworkers or friends begin to display the symptoms of SAD, Major Link suggests listening to them for as long as they need to talk.

"The absolute best thing you can do is just listen to them," said Major Link. "They need someone to listen. No matter what they're saying, just sit back and listen first, completely unbiased and non judgmental."

After listening, Major Link says the next step is accompanying them to a healthcare professional to get help.

"As a friend, you have to be encouraging them to get the help they need," said Major Link. "Support them the best you can, in any helpful manner. Tell them you'll go with them to get help, and actually go."

Fortunately, members of Team McChord do not have to face this condition alone. Numerous resources are available both on and off base.

First, the Mental Health Clinic at the 62nd Medical Group accepts both appointments and emergency walk-ins for servicemembers who don't feel they can handle stress or depression.

"At the mental health clinic, we help patients in various ways," said Major Link. "We provide group sessions and individual counseling. Whatever is best for the patient."

No matter what faith a servicemember or civilian holds, if any, the McChord Chapel is also available to take care of emotional and spiritual needs.

"As long as they're willing to talk, we're willing to listen," said Lt. Col. Michael Husfelt, 627th Air Base Group chaplain. "Our goal is to find them the help and support they need."

Chaplains can provide a friendly ear and are able to offer complete confidentiality as well. Additionally, chaplains can help connect servicemembers and their families with local events during the holidays, which may ease stress.

"The best thing we can do is look out for each other," said Major Link. "Understand that a genuine, human connection is very important. Be sure and make time to spend time with your friends, laugh and enjoy the holiday season."

Take the time to meet neighbors, the other Airmen in the dorms, fellow office workers a few cubicles over or just a stranger in the coffee shop. Keep each other's heads up this winter, and know that if someone is suffering from "The Winter Blues" there is help and they are not alone.