Low snow, long winter: Why mental health still needs attention this season

A winter storm rolls in over Mt. Olympus. Photo: TownLift // Adam Lenkowski

PARK CITY, Utah — Winter looks a little different this year. With below-average snowfall, shorter days, limited sunlight and disrupted routines, Utah State University Extension’s HEART Initiative is reminding residents that winter mental health matters and help is available.

Nearly two in five Americans report a dip in mood during winter, and about 29 percent say the shift back to standard time negatively affects their mental health, according to recent studies. In Utah, those effects can be intensified by elevation, inversions, rural isolation, and reduced daylight, even in winters that feel mild.

“Many people don’t realize how much daylight we lose in the winter or how inversions reduce our exposure to natural light,” said Gabriela Murza, a member of the HEART team. “These factors can trigger or worsen depression and anxiety.”

About 10 percent of Utahns experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and the risk can be higher in rural areas where access to mental health care is limited. In rural counties, long travel distances and a shortage of providers can delay treatment and increase the risk of substance use or suicidal thoughts.

The HEART Initiative encourages Utahns this winter to check in with themselves and others and to reach out early when something feels off.

Resources and recommendations include:

• Reach out early. Talk with a doctor or local mental health provider before symptoms escalate.
• Call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available statewide 24/7.
• Use local supports.
• Practice harm reduction. Never use substances alone. Carry naloxone (Narcan), a life-saving medication for opioid overdoses, available for free through many county health departments.

“Winter doesn’t have to mean suffering in silence,” said Ashley Yaugher, another HEART team member. “Know the signs, support each other and stay connected to your community.”