NEDHSA’s ‘Light the Season’ Brings Winter Wellness Programs to Communities at Risk of Seasonal Blues

Winter push aims to catch people before the cold months deepen emotional strain

The Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (NEDHSA) has launched a community-wide campaign called “Light the Season” to help people manage emotional health through the winter months. The multi-week effort, announced this week, brings local events, educational sessions and outreach to towns across the region. Organizers say the goal is to raise awareness about seasonal mood changes and make help easier to find before symptoms worsen.

What residents will see: classes, screenings and neighborhood outreach

“Light the Season” is set up as a calendar of activities that runs through the colder months when daylight is short and people often report feeling low. The campaign packs several kinds of programming into a steady schedule: public talks on mood and sleep, free mental-health screenings, group workshops for coping strategies, and pop-up resource tables at community centers and marketplaces.

NEDHSA is partnering with local health clinics, school systems, faith-based groups and community centers to host the events. The organizers say the mix is intentional: some activities are aimed at teens and young adults, others at older adults and families, and outreach teams will target people who may not normally use formal health services.

Funding comes from a combination of public grants and community donations, with logistics handled by NEDHSA staff and local volunteers. The campaign will use small indoor gatherings and outdoor outreach so programming can continue even as weather changes. Mobile teams will also offer information in rural areas where transportation and access are barriers.

Organizers emphasize practical tools rather than medical treatments. Sessions will teach simple, evidence-based habits—like light exposure, routine planning and sleep management—that can reduce winter-related mood changes. There will also be information about when a temporary low may actually be a medical condition that needs professional care.

Why a winter-focused campaign matters: the basics of seasonal mood shifts

Many people notice their mood change when days get shorter and weather turns colder. Seasonal patterns can range from mild low energy and less interest in activities to the more significant condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. SAD is a recognized form of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, most often appearing in late fall and winter.

Symptoms can include low mood, loss of interest in usual activities, daytime tiredness, trouble concentrating, changes in sleep or appetite, and social withdrawal. Certain groups—people with a prior depression diagnosis, those living alone, and residents in areas with long, dark winters—are at higher risk.

Public-health officials say early attention matters because small changes in behavior and environment can ease symptoms for many people. For a minority, seasonal depression can become disabling if it goes untreated. That’s why community campaigns that increase awareness and lower the threshold for help can reduce the number of people who slide into a more serious condition over the winter.

Community leaders say the campaign fills a local gap

In announcing the program, NEDHSA leaders framed “Light the Season” as a practical, community-first response to a predictable seasonal problem. “We know winter takes a toll on people’s daily lives, and many struggle quietly,” said an NEDHSA executive in the campaign statement. “This effort brings information and support to places people already go—schools, churches and local centers—so asking for help feels normal, not scary.”

Local partners echoed that point. A representative from a participating community health clinic noted that prevention and easy access to screening can keep mild problems from becoming crises. “Small, early steps—like a screening at a community event or a short workshop on sleep—can make a real difference for families who otherwise might wait until things get worse,” said a partner organization leader quoted by the campaign.

Organizers also cited past outreach efforts as a model: where similar short-term campaigns ran, they reported higher screening rates and more people connecting to follow-up care. For this winter push, NEDHSA expects to reach a broad mix of residents through in-person events and targeted outreach, though officials did not attach a precise numerical target in the announcement.

How to join, where to get help, and what to do in a crisis

Residents who want to take part in “Light the Season” can look for event notices at local community centers, schools, and clinics, or contact NEDHSA directly to ask about schedules and locations. The campaign includes free screenings and many no-cost workshops, and organizers say registration is available for some sessions through local partners.

Finally, the campaign brief stresses that this information is educational. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. If anyone is feeling in immediate danger or thinking about harming themselves, they should contact emergency services or a crisis line right away. The campaign will point people to crisis resources at events and in printed materials so anyone in urgent need can get fast help.

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