The Importance of Winter Socialization
LCA News and Information
A winter message from Hyacinth Mosse, LSW. Hyacinth is a Mental Health Practitioner in our Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS) program, a part-time student at St. Catherine’s University, and a Minnesota winter enthusiast.
Hyacinth writes:
Almost everyone in Minnesota enjoys the first snow fall. The sky is decorated with fluffy white snow. Chrystal flakes fall softly and cover the ground in a tranquil blanket of white. Dusted pine trees create a winter wonder land. As the season of winter unfolds days become shorter, the north land is now far from the sun. With fewer hours of day light and harsher weather conditions social isolation becomes an issue that impacts the wellbeing of many of our citizens.
Although solitude is immensely welcomed by some after the eventful summer, plenty of citizens are faced with the inability and lack of opportunity to socialize in the harshness of winter. Social isolation only intensifies a person’s mental health symptoms. According to The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) 1 in 5 Americans are living with a mental illness.
As we head into the cold winter months, it’s important to consider the effect this time inevitably can have on our life style. Social isolation can often be coupled with depression, but the cold weather and shorter days make it harder for people to leave the house, particularly those with mobility issues. In the winter people are more likely to stay indoors, day after day all alone.
This winter, I urge everyone to spend some time with the people in their lives, reach out to others in the community, support one another, volunteer, and be active members in the lovely community of Park Rapids.
Hyacinth Mosse, LSW