Are you a little more tired than usual, and perhaps a little down now that the darkness is creeping up on us? You are not alone, because close to 500,000 Norwegians experience autumn and winter depression, according to Norsk Helseinformatikk. Someone who feels a little down when it gets dark is Hasibe Altunøz (23). Although the sun shines a little extra when news meets the student, she notices that it is a little difficult to get up in the morning now. – I notice that things are a little more difficult. What I was looking forward to in the summer, I’m not looking forward to as much now. She’s not quite sure why. – I’m not sure what it is, but everything is a little more tiring. I think it’s about the sun. When it disappears, I get less energy and lose some motivation, says Altunøz. Tight finances Silje Christine Austveg is professional leader of the Hjelpechatten i Mental Helse Ungdom. She feels the pressure a little extra now in the autumn. – In August and September there is good pressure. Then we see historically that in October, there is a very large increase in the number of inquiries. We are gearing up now for October and ensuring that we have enough people. Silje Christine Austveg is the leader of the Help Chat in Mental Health Youth and says that many people are contacting us now. Photo: Mariel Nkechi Sand Nwosu / news In recent years, more young people report tight finances, and feel that it limits them socially, says Austveg. – What are the young people worried about? – It is nice to be able to feel loneliness. And then economics is part of it. Because you can’t afford to be involved in everything you wish you were involved in, you can feel left out. – Compared to last year, there is a 40 per cent increase in the number of incidents dealing with finances. So that’s a pretty significant increase. She says the volunteers keep statistics after each call. – Are there more people making contact via chat now? – Absolutely. We have already beaten last year in terms of the number of calls or inquiries we have received. We are aiming for a doubling of the number of messages compared to last year, says Austveg. Austveg encourages young people to dry up and open up. – Whether it’s contacting a help chat, or talking to someone in a close relationship or a GP. But she also has advice for those who want to help a friend, lover or family member, who finds things a bit difficult right now: – When you encourage someone to talk about things, it’s about how we meet those who come and talk to us. We have to endure and face the feelings that come, says Austveg. – The most important thing is to sit on your hands and actually listen. It can feel dismissive if you talk about something that is difficult, you also get advice on going for a walk, she encourages. Do you feel down when it gets dark? 🍂 Yes, I can feel it a little. No, I’m perfectly fine. I think this time is a bit difficult. Show result SiO Health: Increase from week to week They do not notice any extra pressure in the autumn, but there is an increase in the number of inquiries, week by week, says head of Mental Health in SiO, Anne Karin Mullally. When it’s dark, we produce more melatonin, which can make us feel more tired, says the psychologist. Anne Karin Mullally is a psychologist and head of Mental Health in SiO. Photo: Thorstein Diesen / SiO She encourages seeking out daylight whenever possible – it gives us more energy. – It can be a bit difficult to get started with physical activity when it gets dark, but physical activity is positive for our mental health and gives us energy. It is therefore advisable to seek out daylight as much as possible. Altunøz himself has taken steps to seek more light and sun – namely in Gran Canaria. She has booked a southern tour there. – Knowing that I won’t have the whole winter here makes the winter a little easier, but I also make sure to take vitamin D, says the 23-year-old. Here is the expert’s advice against autumn depression Try to stay physically active Get out during the day, and get light Continue with leisure activities that you value Maintain social contact with the outside world Have a rhythm in your meals and make sure you have good regularity in your sleep Be happy open that it can be difficult in the winter months, some will probably recognize it. It is still important to normalize it for oneself. If you repeatedly experience that you become low on energy and down in the winter, and this goes a long way to how you function in work life and at school, then see your GP or therapist. They can make recommendations about, for example, light therapy, medication and guidance Source: Psychologist specialist Jonas Rennemo Vaag Published 02.10.2024, at 21.01
ttn-69
Increase in messages to Mental Health Youth in the autumn – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
