{"id":541543,"date":"2026-01-25T10:01:47","date_gmt":"2026-01-25T10:01:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/541543\/"},"modified":"2026-01-25T10:01:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-25T10:01:47","slug":"usu-extension-urges-mental-health-awareness-this-winter-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/541543\/","title":{"rendered":"USU Extension urges mental health awareness this winter | News"},"content":{"rendered":"

With winter finally settling in across Utah, Utah State University Extension\u2019s HEART (Health Extension: Advocacy, Research, and Teaching) Initiative\u00a0<\/strong>members\u00a0<\/strong>encourage Utahns to prepare for more than just cold weather. Prioritizing mental health should also be part of winter preparation.<\/p>\n

Seasonal changes can significantly affect mental well-being. Nearly two in five Americans report a decline in mood during winter, and 29% say the return to standard time negatively impacts their mental health, according to recent studies. In Utah, those effects can be amplified by unique regional factors such as elevation, inversions, and rural isolation.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany people don\u2019t realize how much daylight we lose in the winter or how inversions reduce our exposure to natural light,\u201d said Gabriela Murza, HEART team member. \u201cThese factors can trigger or worsen depression and anxiety.\u201d<\/p>\n

Data show that about 10 percent of Utahns experience Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly known as SAD. In rural counties, where mental health services are limited, this can lead to higher risks for suicidal thoughts, substance use, and delayed treatment. For example, in parts of Carbon, Emery, and Grand counties, residents face long travel distances to clinics and fewer providers per capita than the state average.<\/p>\n

To help address these seasonal risks, USU HEART Initiative members recommend the following:<\/p>\n