As depressing as it is when summer turns to fall then to winter, pastors and mental health counsellors notice that people reach out for help when winter turns to spring, too.
Mark Lionello is program manager for the Cochrane Timiskaming district of the Canadian Mental Health Association. He says it occurs with the change in season and weather, after you’ve been virtually housebound all winter.
“Almost like a bit of pressure that things are kind of improving weather wise, there’s an expectation that they should be going out more, but they’re not feeling it,” he explains. “And so there’s a contradiction between that expectation that they should be out and feeling happier and yet they’re still not feeling well.”
Lionello compares it to coming out of your winter comfort zone.
“Any kind of change I think can be difficult, especially if you’re not feeling your best or you’re struggling with mood or an illness, it makes it a little bit more difficult.”
Lionello advises not to worry if those feelings only last a few days. If it’s longer and affects your life, reach out for counselling.