The winter months seem to keep many folks indoors, but the Mood Disorder Association of Manitoba (MDAM) reminds us to keep those social connections healthy, despite the cold.
Regional Outreach Manager for the Prairie Mountain Region, Lora Hay, says they have a number of support groups to assist in mental wellness, including in-person groups and virtual zoom wellness groups.
Winter doldrums can make the days and weeks between November and March difficult, with the added pressures of the Christmas season making this time of year not so festive. It's times like these where we might feel alone, like we're slugging through the heaviness of low energy and low enthusiasm, but Lora Hay reminds us that we're not alone.
We have a number of support groups," explains Hay. "We have the Wellness Peer Support Group with an online format. This takes place on Monday nights and is a well-attended group and covers all of Manitoba and not just the Westman area. It's a group of individuals that have don't have a specific diagnosis," she adds. "They could just be struggling, or they could have an ongoing mood disorder and just want that additional support in a group setting, as well as the educational piece that we provide with mood disorders.
"For those struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D) Hay encourages those feeling especially low at this time of year to reach out to their office, whether it's a S.A.D. diagnoses or not.
"Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression will occur more so when there is less sunlight than the actual season itself," she explains. "So, it kind of depends on the individual. And it's true, some individuals who are struggling with the Christmas, it isn't always a joyful time of year especially with the climate that we live in where it could be a struggle financially as well for many people."
Living in one of the coldest provinces in Canada funds go towards heating our homes, maintaining our vehicles, and just trying to put healthy food on the table. Elaborate Christmas gifts to family and friends just isn't in the budget for many folks.
"It's a struggle, financially, for a lot of people and so that can add some extra burden to some individual's plates, you could say," adds Hay. "But we do offer a number of different groups to help those who struggle at this time of the year."
Please listen to more with Lora Hay below as she shares on some of these support groups offered through the Westman MDAM office located in Brandon, and as she shares more on their new location at Unit B, 1003, 13th Street, Brandon.
For more information, please visit the MDAM website.
Prairie Mountain Region - Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba