YPSILANTI — January’s episode of “Enlighten U,” Eastern Michigan University’s award-winning mental health podcast for students, focuses on the real impacts of loneliness and Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, on college students.
The National Institute of Mental Health defines SAD as “a type of depression characterized by a recurrent seasonal pattern, with symptoms lasting about four to five months out of the year.” According to the American Psychiatric Association, SAD affects around 5% of adults in the U.S., with those living farther north at a higher risk, due to shorter days and less sunlight during the winter months.
According to a study of more than 1,000 college students conducted by Active Minds, almost two-thirds of respondents reported feeling lonely. Additionally, Active Minds found that college students who feel lonely are more than 4 times more likely to “experience severe psychological stress.”
EMU senior public relations major, Bella Cannon, wrote a personal blog post on loneliness that led the show to her. In the episode, she shares more about her experience with loneliness and the importance of opening up and putting yourself out there to make friends.
“A lot of people tend to stick to themselves in the college setting,” Cannon said. “Taking those moments to be open is one way to signal to someone you’re open to a conversation.”
Resident mental health expert and assistant professor in EMU’s Department of Leadership and Counseling, Aesha Mustafa, Ph.D., talks about what SAD looks like, how social media can influence feelings of loneliness, and the little things to do every day to combat the “winter blues.”
Cannon finishes the episode with a final piece of wisdom for listeners to remember if they start feeling down this winter.
“You’re not the only one who feels the way that you do,” Cannon said.
To feel better this winter, Mustafa recommends finding little things to look forward to every day, such as winter sports, holidays, and decorating.
Future episodes of “Enlighten U” will address life as a first-generation student, adjustment to campus life, body insecurities, and more.
For more information, please contact Lolita Cummings at lcummin2@emich.edu or Melissa Thrasher at mthrashe@emich.edu. To submit a topic idea or to be a guest, please contact the show directly at Enlighten_U@emich.edu.
About “Enlighten U”
“Enlighten U” is an Eastern Michigan University-produced, award-winning podcast for college students as they experience unique stressors, including academic pressures, personal growth, social challenges, and more. EMU executive director of media relations and social media Melissa Thrasher and EMU public relations professor Lolita Cummings serve as co-hosts. Each episode is released each month and welcomes a student or alum and a subject-matter professional. Episodes of “Enlighten U” address mental health topics like imposter syndrome, financial strain, grading anxiety, adjustment to campus life, social media harms, social justice, and more.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, EMU is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.
January 15, 2025
Written by:
Maisey Jones
Media Contact:
Melissa Thrasher
mthrashe@emich.edu
734-487-4401
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