Getting through the winter-time blues
It’s that time of year when spring is trying to peek through the clouds and rain, but the skies are still quite dark and a bit dreary.
Thankfully, through the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), VCH staff have an entire army of resources available to help you fight the winter-blues.
Marie-Hélène Pelletier
VCH News sat down with Marie-Hélène Pelletier, director of EFAP, to talk about what’s available to staff and what they can do to get through the grey months.
How do the ‘dark days’ of this time of year in Vancouver affect employee morale and work?
As the seasons change and the days get shorter, some people may develop symptoms of depression. Seasonal depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is a form of depression that occurs based on seasonal changes in sunlight. These “dark days” can affect people’s moods in different ways. Symptoms include increased sadness, feeling anxious, feeling sluggish, irritability, changes in appetite, and sleeping for long periods of time. These symptoms can be severe enough to affect the quality of life. For some they reduce when the days get lighter but for others they can hang on and cause distress.
What’s the most common psychological issue you see during this time of year?
This really varies with each individual, but for many people stress, anxiety and depression that can culminate in winter blues are very common. They can start with the holiday season and carry into the Spring. When the weather begins to get nicer and people are still not feeling better that can cause them some upset. This is very common but can create difficulty for those suffering from it. If anyone is feeling like the blues are getting them down please give us a call.
What EFAP services are available for staff to help them through this time of year?
EFAP provides a range of services. The most commonly accessed service is our face-to-face counselling. However, we also offer telephone counselling and our website provides a number of new virtual wellness resources and self-assessment tools.
Our specialized on-line treatment programs for people experiencing mild to moderate depression and anxiety include:
– Beating the Blues (BTB) is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques, this program has a proven track record of helping people to get and stay better.
– Life Hub provides dynamic and proactive wellness support for both professional and personal needs of the employees and their families.
If you’re not sure what would work best for you, call EFAP and we can help you identify where to start.
Do you have any tip or suggestions for staff to maintain good psychological health during the winter? Go for a run? The aquarium?
Those are all great suggestions. Being proactive is the best advice. Pay attention to your moods and energy levels. Eat healthy foods and plan activities that will help you boost overall energy. Reach out for help if needed. Don’t feel ashamed or discouraged if you feel like your depression is getting the better of you.. It is very common to experience winter blues and EFAP is here to help.