Ballad Health Clinical Director, Behavioral Services weighs in on overcoming seasonal depression
Published 3:58 pm Wednesday, February 4, 2026
By Brittnee Bryant
Star Correspondent
Colder days and longer nights can leave individuals feeling depressed during the winter months.
It’s a phenomenon known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. According to Cicely Alvis, Ballad Health’s clinical director, behavioral services, this condition affects nearly 40 percent of Americans.
“It’s still major depression; it’s just seasonal,” she explains. “For a period of time that’s associated with decreased sunlight, decreased activity and increased sedentary activity. It’s worse in rural areas because of isolation.”
Alvis says a common misconception is when seasonal depression will typically begin.
“There’s a common misperception that the holidays are when people are really depressed,” she says. “Suicidal ideation goes up, and that’s actually not true. People are actually doing really well because you’re surrounded by loved ones and family, and everyone is doing more together and more philanthropy. And then January comes. You get the financial strain of that period, and then you’re alone again. So January — that’s when it kind of gets even tougher for some people. January, February, and March are when it’s a challenging period for people, at least in America, in our hemisphere.”
Maintaining a proper diet, creating an ongoing exercise regimen, engaging in social activities and unplugging from social media for periods of time are some of the ways individuals can help manage their mental health during these months. Beyond that, keeping an eye on overall health is encouraged.
Another misconception, Alvis says, is that warmer months will magically switch off depression.
“People get their elevated mood, and then that’s when it gets really risky for people because once people get a little bit of jolts from this depression, that’s when suicide rates actually go up,” Alvis says. “And so, a combination of things would be very helpful.”
Alvis encourages people to check on their loved ones and friends as well in regard to mental health.
“I think it’s also important that maybe if I’m not struggling with my mental health, but if I pay attention to my friends and my loved ones and I can see they’re struggling, it’s really important to reach out to them, too, because it can be really hard for people to ask for help,” she says.
If you or someone you know is currently struggling with mental health, there are resources available that can help. Ballad Health offers links to finding physicians on its website at balladhealth.org/medical-services/behavioral-health-mental-health. If you need immediate assistance, call 988. If you are uninsured, Tennessee offers assistance through a behavioral health safety net. Additional information can be found at tn.gov/behavioral-health/bhsn.html.