From the Lynn Public Health Department: The Lynn Public Health Department distributes a monthly newsletter with health-related information for the City of Lynn.

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DECEMBER was SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD) MONTH

a time to raise awareness about SAD, understanding the signs and symptoms, and to encourage folks to seek help. Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that is linked to seasonal changes, especially during the fall and winter months when there are shorter days and less sunlight. SAD is often thought of as the “winter blues” but it is more than that. The “winter blues” is a feeling of sadness during the winter months because of the shortening of days. SAD is a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, most commonly during the winter months, but can be experienced during the spring and summer.

Some Symptoms of the “Winter Blues” include:

• Low energy
• General sadness
• Increased desire to sleep
• Reduced motivation

These symptoms are usually mild and temporary and typically resolve on their own.

Some Symptoms of SAD include:

• Persistent sadness
• Anxiety
• Low energy and oversleeping
• Insomnia
• Poor appetite and weight gain
• Social withdrawal and loss of interest in activities
• Violent or aggressive behavior

These symptoms are more recurring and serious, can be debilitating, and may require treatment.

Some ways to treat SAD include:

• Light therapy – Treatment where an individual is exposed to a bright light every day for 30-45 minutes to make up for the lack of natural sunlight during the darker months
• Psychotherapy – Therapy or counseling that can help individuals with SAD by teaching them new ways of thinking, behaving, and changing habits that contribute to depression
• Antidepressants – Medications, when prescribed appropriately, can help with symptoms

Engaging in outdoor activities, exercising, and eating a healthy diet can also help with SAD.

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Fall & winter initiatives

4TH ANNUAL SOCKS AND SCARVES DRIVE

We will be accepting donations during the fall and winter months for New, Unopened winter items including, but not limited to: socks, scarves, hats, mittens, etc. If you or someone you know are in need of winter items, come down and pick some up!

WINTER COAT DRIVE

Have any unused coats or jackets you no longer wear? We will be collecting new or lightly used coats and jackets. The collections of coats and jacket we receive will be donated to a local organization.

Drop Off:

Lynn City Hall
Community Health Resource Room – Room: 108
3 City Hall Square
Lynn, MA 01901

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Public Health Grants

The goal of the Public Health Division is to help improve the health and quality of life of entire populations through prevention, promotion and protection. This can include tracking diseases, health education, advocating for health equity and policy. For us to achieve these goals, we pursue grants that align with our work, along with the needs of our community.

Below are a few grants we’ve applied for and have been awarded to support this work:

• Healthy Summer Youth Job (Attorney General’s Office)
  • Purpose of the grant is supporting youth employment in public health-focused roles while promoting structured skill-building opportunities. Funds from this grant were used to hire youths over the summer, where they learned about public health through community engagement.
• Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Grant and Community Heat Resilience Project (BARR Foundation)
  • Purpose of the grants is to create a climate resiliency planning and solutions to combat extreme heat for Lynn Public Schools and the community as a whole. Currently, these projects are still in the planning phase.
• Community Transit Grant
  • Purpose of the grant is to meet the transportation and mobility needs of older adults and people with disabilities. Funds from this grant was used to hire a Transportation Access Coordinator who works closely with the Senior Center among other stakeholders to address transportation barriers in the city.
• Rize
  • Purpose of the grant is to target the epidemic of opioid overdose and addiction spanning prevention to treatment to long-term recovery. Funds were used to support the Lynn Calm Team in bridging service gaps
    —for example, by covering rent at a sober home, providing transportation to a detox facility, or purchasing stabilization items such as blankets, warm clothing, hygiene products, or harm-reduction supplies.

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the lynn calm team

The CALM Team is an unarmed, care-focused team that meets community members where they are. They can help with:

• Non-Crisis Mental Health
• Assistance for Unhoused Persons
• Non-violent Conflicts and Concerns
• Mediations between neighbors, families, or youth
• Connection to detox and other recovery services

In October, the Lynn CALM team had 111 community interactions! Throughout the month, the team connected unhoused residents with essential treatment services and vital resources, offering support when and where it was needed most. They also stepped into community “hot spot” areas, engaging directly with residents to address concerns, ease tensions, and help prevent potential escalation. Beyond outreach, the Lynn CALM team maintains presence in the community by actively participating in local events, including Trunk or Treat, the Stop the Violence: Lynn Against Violence Walk, and volunteering at My Brother’s Table.

Contact the CALM Team

• 781-905-2256 (CALM)
• calm@lynnma.gov, for non-urgent questions
• 95 Pleasant Street Door #6 Lynn, MA 01901
• www.lynncalmteam.org

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You can download the full newsletter, in English or Spanish, below.