Identifying and Supporting Students with Seasonal Depression

The Impact of SAD

As the days shorten and temperatures drop, we see changes in mood and energy that often align with the colder months. For many young people, these seasonal shifts can bring on a more serious challenge known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD is a form of depression triggered by seasonal changes, affecting countless school and college students each year. The impact of SAD goes beyond mood, often influencing students’ focus, motivation and academic performance. For educators and leaders, recognising the symptoms of SAD and knowing how to support students through it can make a profound difference.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Seasonal Affective Disorder is more than just the “winter blues.” SAD is a clinical condition that occurs during the colder months, triggered largely by reduced sunlight exposure, which can affect brain chemicals linked to mood and sleep. For students, this can mean months of struggling with fatigue, sadness, and feeling disconnected from others. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, SAD affects up to 5% of the population in the U.S., with symptoms that can last up to 40% of the year.

Typical symptoms of SAD may include:

• Persistent low mood and feelings of hopelessness
• Changes in energy levels and fatigue, often leading to oversleeping
• Difficulty focusing and diminished interest in activities once enjoyed
• Social withdrawal, isolation, or changes in appetite

With students, symptoms of SAD can go unrecognised or misinterpreted as just a lack of motivation, which can add to their frustration. Recognising SAD early is key to providing support that can improve both their academic and personal lives.

Identifying SAD in Educational Establishments

SAD symptoms can sometimes mirror other mental health challenges, making it tricky to spot. Here are a few signs that can help school and college leaders identify potential cases of SAD among their students:

• A noticeable decline in academic performance: Students with SAD may struggle to stay focused or motivated, often resulting in dropping grades.
• Frequent absences: SAD can make it hard for students to maintain regular attendance, particularly during the darker, colder months.
• Changes in social behaviour: Some students may begin to withdraw from social activities or stop engaging with their usual group of friends.
• Physical complaints: SAD can also cause students to report headaches, changes in appetite, or excessive tiredness, often related to oversleeping.

Keeping an eye on these behaviours, and noticing patterns across seasons can help school leaders and educators provide timely support.

Supporting Students Through SAD

Whilst SAD can feel overwhelming, there are several supportive strategies that can make a significant difference:

Encourage Light Exposure: Bright light therapy is a common and effective approach for managing SAD. School leaders can encourage students to spend time outdoors whenever possible, even if it’s just a few minutes during breaks or lunch. Investing in light therapy boxes for the school counselling office can also provide easy access to light exposure.

Incorporate a Sunrise Alarm into your routine: These clocks gradually brighten to simulate sunrise, helping to ease you out of sleep and align your body’s internal clock with a natural day-night cycle. This gradual exposure to light can make waking up feel more natural and energising, especially during darker winter months.

Promote Physical Activity: Regular exercise has proven mental health benefits, often increasing endorphin levels and helping with energy management. Promoting seasonal activities, like winter walks or even indoor fitness options, can be beneficial.

Establish a Supportive Environment: Create a welcoming space where students feel comfortable talking about mental health. Educators and counsellors can host sessions or support groups that normalise mental health discussions, encouraging students to openly share their challenges and coping strategies.

Building Resilience with eQuoo

In addition to in-person support, a number of digital tools can help students manage SAD symptoms. Our app eQuoo, a clinically proven mental resilience app, uses interactive storytelling to teach students valuable skills for managing stress, anxiety, and low mood, with lower levels of depression and anxiety seen in as early as 5 weeks gameplay.  eQuoo focuses on building emotional and social resilience—tools that can be particularly useful for students facing challenges with SAD or other mood-related issues.

Designed to support both individual and group settings, eQuoo offers students a private, accessible way to work on mental health skills like emotional regulation, self-awareness, and coping with anxiety. eQuoo is a valuable resource to support the main curriculum, creating a layered, whole-school approach to mental health support that students can access anytime.

Empowering Students to Tackle Seasonal Depression

Understanding SAD and creating supportive measures for students struggling with seasonal depression can truly make a difference. By equipping young people with resources to understand and manage their mental health, we not only help them feel better today but also strengthen their resilience for the future.

To find out more about our solution, register your interest for eQuoo below to find out how we can support you.