Mental Health Connect

12/23/2025

12/22/2025

On this longest night of the year, we know approximately 5% of American adults (that's roughly 10 million people!) are living with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). According to NAMI-MN, SAD doesn't present the same as classic depressive disorder. Symptoms can include oversleeping, fatigue, lethargy, weight gain, along with a decreased interest in one's regular activities and social relationships. And that's just to name a few!

To learn more about SAD and means of treating it, we encourage you to check out NAMI-MN's resource on seasonal affective disorder. https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Depression/Major-Depressive-Disorder-with-a-Seasonal-Pattern/

12/21/2025

On this longest night of the year, we recognize that many need seasonal mental health. Please feel free to reach out to our Mental Health Connect Navigators if you think you may benefit from extra support this time of year.
612- 642-1220 text/call
navigator@mhconnect.org

From the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
"Major Depressive Disorder with a Seasonal Pattern (formerly known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD) is characterized by recurrent episodes of depression in late fall and winter, alternating with periods of normal mood the rest of the year.

Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health were the first to suggest this condition was a response to decreased light and experimented with the use of bright light to address the symptoms. Scientists have identified that the neurotransmitter serotonin may not be working optimally in many people who experience this disorder.

The prevalence of this condition appears to vary with latitude, age, and s*x:
Prevalence increases among people living in higher/northern latitudes.
Younger persons are at higher risk.
Women are more likely than men to experience this condition.

SYMPTOMS
This disorder’s most common presentation is of an atypical depression. With classic depression, people tend to lose weight and sleep less. This condition is the kind of atypical depression often seen in bipolar disorder—people tend to gain weight and sleep more.

Although not everyone experiences all the following symptoms, the classic characteristics of Major Depressive Disorder with a Seasonal Pattern include:
Hypersomnia (or oversleeping)
Daytime fatigue
Overeating
Weight gain
Craving carbohydrates

Many people may experience other symptoms as well, including:
Decreased s*xual interest
Lethargy
Hopelessness
Suicidal thoughts
Lack of interest in usual activities and decreased socialization

DIAGNOSIS
The key to an accurate diagnosis of this condition is recognizing its pattern. Symptoms usually begin in October/November and subside in March/April. Some people begin to experience a 'slump' as early as August, while others remain well until January. Regardless of the time of onset, most people don’t feel fully 'back to normal' until early May.

For a diagnosis to be made, this pattern of onset and remission must have occurred during at least a two-year period, without the occurrence of any non-seasonal episodes during that same period.

This means you will not receive this diagnosis the first time you experience symptoms. If you believe you may have a seasonal depressive pattern, it’s important to pay attention to the pattern. Track your symptoms, noting when they begin and when they subside. This self-awareness can help. Mental health professionals will ask you about your observations and also your family history since mood disorders tend to run in families.

TREATMENT
As with most depressive disorders, the best treatment includes a combination of antidepressant medications, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and exercise. Unlike other depressive disorders, this condition can also be treated with light therapy. Light therapy consists of regular, daily exposure to a “light box,” which artificially simulates high-intensity sunlight. Be aware that ordinary indoor light is not sufficient to treat this condition.

Some primary care doctors have experience treating this disorder. Remember that this condition is a subset of major depression. If your primary care doctor prescribes you an antidepressant, orders you a lightbox and sends you to a social worker—and you have trouble the following year—consider seeking consultation from a psychiatrist. Treatment planning needs to match the severity of the condition for each individual."

https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Depression/Major-Depressive-Disorder-with-a-Seasonal-Pattern/

12/14/2025

It's mental health check-in time! How are you taking care of your mental wellness this holiday season?

12/12/2025

For many, the holidays can bring up difficult emotions. Whether we're grieving a loved one, struggling with financial worries, or managing mental health concerns, we might feel a painful dissonance between the "holiday cheer" around us and the challenging feelings within us.

The Mental Health Connect 2025 Holiday Toolkit offers some helpful affirmation and supportive ideas for navigating this holiday season with mixed emotions. ❄️

This resource guide provides ideas for individuals and families who are in need of carefully navigating their mental health and wellness during the holiday season. We encourage you to share this information with those who can benefit from it.

https://shorturl.at/FYtpS

12/08/2025

Tuesday's Holiday Gathering Canceled!

Dear MHC Ambassadors, because we're concerned about your mental well-being as well as your physical safety, we have made the difficult decision to cancel tomorrow evening’s MHC Collaborative-Wide Holiday Celebration (December 9 from 7 – 8:30 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church).

There are winter weather advisories being issued for most of the counties around the Twin Cities that include 2-4 inches of snow from early afternoon to early evening and winds gusts up to 31 miles/hour. We thought it best to err on the side of caution and look to reschedule a social gathering for another time when weather conditions are more conducive to travel.

As for those of you who had planned on bringing items for the NAMI-Minnesota Holiday Gift Drive, you can drop them off with Heidi Simpson Tjeltveit at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4100 Lyndale Boulevard, Minneapolis, between 9:00-11:30 am on Saturday, December 13. Please come in the door from the parking lot, take an immediate left around the corner and go to a small alcove near the Welcome Desk and drop them off with her. She’ll see that they are given to Kay King from NAMI-Minnesota.

If you are unable to drop off the gifts on December 13, please contact either Heidi Peterson (hpeterson@bethlehem-church.org) or Heidi Simpson Tjeltveit (hstjeltveit@yahoo.com) ASAP to make other arrangements. All donations are due by December 15 so that NAMI-Minnesota can get them prepared to be distributed. Thank you!

Stay safe, stay warm, and enjoy your “gift of time” tomorrow evening, everyone!

11/18/2025

Help brighten the holiday for kids and adults in treatment by donating gifts or volunteering.

NAMI Minnesota is holding its annual gift drive for children and adults with mental illnesses who are hospitalized or in residential treatment over the holidays.

Gifts must be new, unwrapped, and safe (nothing sharp, no ribbons, nothing breakable) and can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at our office until December 18. Arrangements can be made for evening or weekend drop-off.

Popular gifts include puzzles, sudoku, markers, colored pencils and pens, origami instruction books and paper, journals (non-spiral), crossword puzzles, word find books, decks of cards, coloring books, nonviolent comic books, fidgets, as well as warm socks, gloves, and hats. Most of the children are 13 or older, so teen gifts are helpful. For more information, go to https://namimn.org/namimn-events/nami-holiday-gift-drive/

Volunteers are needed on Saturday, December 20, to deliver them. A wish list is available on Amazon. Email us for the link at namihelps@namimn.org. Thank you for your caring and generosity this holiday season!

10/31/2025

Is your faith community (or one you know) offering a "Blue Christmas" or other service for hope and healing around the holidays? If so, locations and date/time in the comments would be so appreciated!

We'd love to list these opportunities in our upcoming MHC Holiday Toolkit! More to come soon... THANK YOU, everyone!

10/31/2025

With SNAP and WIC programs in jeopardy, our Navigators have resources for food and other essentials at their fingertips--because we understand that food insecurity--> increased stress--> poorer mental health.
Please share this comprehensive multi-county resource with your networks.
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/dca491dfca284a048e227df1b69348fd

10/10/2025

It was our honor to have Sue Abderholden present at this week's "No One Recovers Alone: Strengthening Family Engagement" workshop. After 24 dedicated and inspiring years, Sue is finishing her final week as Executive Director of NAMI-MN. We're so grateful for all she's done for mental health awareness, access, and support in Minnesota.

Thank you, Sue, and our best wishes for your next chapter! With gratitude from all the staff and volunteers at Mental Health Connect... 💚

10/07/2025

Today we offer gratitude for Sue Abderholden, Outgoing Executive Director of NAMI-MN. Sue’s work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Health Equity Award from the Minneapolis Health Department, the Distinguished Citizen Award from Macalester College, the National NAMI Rona and Ken Purdy Award to End Discrimination, and repeated honors as one of Minnesota Physician’s “100 Most Influential Health Care Leaders.”

THIS THURSDAY will be one of Sue’s very last presentations for NAMI-MN, and we’re grateful for all she’s done for mental health awareness and support in our state. You won’t want to miss the chance to learn from Sue’s many years of experience and expertise!

No One Recovers Alone: Strengthening Family Engagement
Thursday, October 9, 2025
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Mental Health Connect
4100 Lyndale Ave S., Minneapolis, MN
This event is sponsored by a Fairview Faith Community Nurse Grant. There is no cost to attend, and lunch is provided.

Register today! https://shorturl.at/r0mbi

Sue's photo is from NAMI-MN.

10/02/2025

No One Recovers Alone: Strengthening Family Engagement

Thursday, October 9, 2025
11:30-1:00 pm
Bethlehem Lutheran, 4100 Lyndale Ave. S, Minneapolis

Many adults with serious mental illnesses experience loneliness. Often their families are both their caregiver and social support system. This class describes the impacts of loneliness and recognizes that no one goes through a serious illness by themselves. Learn the importance of engaging family members and promoting connections to others, and identify strategies to meaningfully engage family members and friends in a person’s life.

Lunch will be provided. This event is sponsored by a Fairview Faith Community Nurse Grant.

Register here: https://onrealm.org/BethlehemChurch/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=YzM5N2Q4OTEtMjlkNS00OTE2LTgyNjctYjMzMzAxNDBiMzgy