BIDDEFORD — While the holidays are generally a time of good cheer, not everyone is able able to get into the Christmas spirit.

In his Monday newsletter, Biddeford Police Chief Roger Beaupre encouraged people to be mindful that the holidays are difficult for those for people who suffer from physical and mental illness and family struggles.

“Please remember that the holidays aren’t always happy for family, friends, or neighbors, especially for seniors battling health concerns or losses,” Beaupre wrote. “I would encourage you to take the time to reach out and help someone who may be having holiday blues, experiencing an illness, feeling that they may be locked into a (sic) unhealthy relationship, or they might be dealing with challenges which may simply seem unbearable to them.”

It’s true that some people may experience more than the winter doldrums as the days continue to remain short and temperatures continue to plummet. For those affected by seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD, the colder months can be a difficult and trying time.

According to the American Psychological Association, symptoms of SAD are the same as depression and can vary in severity.

Symptoms include milder symptoms of fatigue, persistent sad mood and loss of interest, sleep difficulties or excessive sleeping and weight gain. More severe symptoms including feelings of hopelessness or despair and thoughts of suicide.

Depression itself is already a serious mental health disease. According to a 2014 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-National Center for Health Statistics survey, 7.6 percent of Americans over age 12 had depression between 2009 and 2012. The majority of those were women and adults between the ages of 40 and 59.

Persons living under the poverty level were 2 1/2 times more likely to experience depression, the study found.

The holidays can be a particularly hard time for people with seasonal depression, especially those in need.

But there are resources available. In addition to medications and seeking help from psychologists, who employ various methods including psychotherapy, there are numerous community resources available.

At the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center in Biddeford on Wednesday, those who are in need came together at the center’s annual Blue Christmas worship service, held to help people feel part of a community during the longest night of the year.

“It’s a Blue Christmas service for people for whom Christmas is challenging,” said Shirley Bowen, executive director of the center. “Maybe there are people who have lost loved ones, who have lost jobs who are just struggling in general. We do this service every year.”

The service is a way to overcome the loneliness of a season that would otherwise be filled with cheer. 

“Some people don’t feel that,” Bowen said. “So we come together as a community, support each other, knowing it’s together.”

Bowen stressed that people are always welcome to the center during its regular hours if they find themselves in the midst of hardship. 

The event also took place at the Crossroads United Methodist Church in Sanford on Wednesday. 

And for those experiencing symptoms of SAD, there are a number of strategies the APA recommends to combat them: 

1. Experience as much daylight as possible by sitting next to windows or walking during the daylight hours. Lack of sun exposure is part of what causes SAD. 
2. Eat healthily. 
3. Spend time with friends and family to lift spirits. Those suffering from SAD should take the time to speak with friends and family about their symptoms so loved ones have a better understanding of the situation. 
4. Stay active and be active in a community. 
5. Plan ahead. Those who know they experience SAD in the winter should schedule activities that will boost their mood. 

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or [email protected].