Changing Seasons, Changing Minds

From Sunshine to Shadows: How Seasonal Shifts Affect All of Us Differently

By Joey Barnes, Counseling Intern 

As October arrives, the changing season brings more than just cooler weather and falling leaves. It brings shorter days, darker evenings, and changes in our daily routines. These shifts can affect our mental health in subtle but powerful ways. What may seem like “just the seasons changing” can actually lead to real challenges with mood, energy, and overall well-being.

Why October is Important for Mental Health

October 10th is World Mental Health Day, a global reminder that mental health matters everywhere. Whether you live in a big city or a small town, people across the world experience challenges with anxiety, depression, loneliness, and stress. Seasonal transitions only add to these difficulties. Recognizing this universal truth encourages us to support one another with greater empathy. 

Common Challenges During Seasonal Transitions 

🔹 Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

As daylight decreases, some people experience symptoms of depression such as fatigue, irritability, changes in sleep or appetite, and loss of interest in activities. 

🔹 Stress and Burnout

The shift into fall often means new responsibilities – school schedules, work demands, and the holidays on the horizon. These pressures can quietly build into exhaustion or overwhelm. 

🔹 Neurodiverse Experiences

For individuals with ADHD or Autism, changes in structure or daylight can be especially hard. A simple shift in routine, like darkness arriving earlier than bedtime, can cause confusion or frustration. These experiences highlight why flexibility and understanding are so important. 

🔹 Loneliness and Isolation

With less daylight, outdoor and social activities can become limited. Some people may find themselves withdrawing, leading to feelings of disconnection. 

Why Seeking Support Matters

Mental health struggles aren’t something to “just push through.” Asking for help is an act of strength, not weakness. Counseling, support groups, and self-care strategies can help individuals adjust to seasonal changes, manage stress, and maintain healthier routines. 

Support looks different for everyone: creating new evening rituals, practicing light therapy for SAD, or simply having conversations with trusted friends. What matters most is knowing you do not have to go through transitions and difficult times alone. 

A Global Call for Empathy

World Mental Health Day reminds us that while everyone experiences mental health differently, no one should feel ashamed of their struggles. Whether you’re a parent missing after-work playtime with your kids, a student navigating academic pressures, or someone adjusting to neurodiverse needs, your experience is valid. The more we share, the more we break stigma and build communities rooted in empathy and compassion. 

How The Center for Creativity and Healing Can Help

At The Center for Creativity and Healing (TCFCH), we see firsthand how the changing seasons impact individuals and families in unique ways. Many children benefit from play therapy, which provides a safe and engaging space to process emotions, navigate transitions, and build healthy coping skills during the fall and winter months. For adults, expressive arts therapy provides a meaningful and creative outlet to ease feelings of isolation, stress, and the effects of shorter days. TCFCH offers space for people of all ages to process emotions and find support through life's changes.

Our Counseling Intern, Joey Barnes, brings nearly five years of experience working with neurodiverse populations, including individuals with Autism, Down syndrome, Intellectual Disabilities, and ADHD. With a passion for supporting those who are often underserved, Joey hopes to help diversify the clinic's reach to ensure these populations have a place where they feel seen, supported, and empowered. By combining creativity with evidence-based practices, TCFCH strives to create a welcoming environment where every child, teen, and adult can find hope and healing through the seasons of life. 

Contact Joey Barnes Email joey@tcfch.org Ph 704-523-5567 x 2

Resources That Can Help 

💡 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)www.nami.orgEducation, advocacy, and support for individuals and families. 

💡 Mental Health America (MHA)www.mhanational.orgTools and screenings to support mental well-being.

💡 Autism Speaks - Daily Living Through Transitionswww.autismspeaks.orgResources for navigating changes in routine. 

💡 Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD)www.chadd.orgSupport and education for ADHD. 

📞 988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall or text 988 for 24/7, confidential mental health support in the U.S.

References

Heading off seasonal depression when you have ADHD. CHADD. (2024, February 1). https://chadd.org/adhd-news/adhd-news-adults/adhd-weekly-heading-off-seasonal-depression-when-you-have-adhd/ 

Pope, B. (2025). Accessible interventions for managing disruptive behavior related to changes in routine for children with autism. JAACAP Connect, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.62414/001c.137135  

Young, M. A., & Yap, B. J. (2009). Psychological and biological traits in seasonal affective disorder and seasonality. Seasonal Affective Disorder, 189–208. https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780199544288.003.0013 

World Health Organization. (2025). World Mental Health Day. WHO. https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day