Anchoring in Your Light: Understanding SAD in the Black Community

Anchoring in Your Light: Understanding SAD in the Black Community

How Winter Affects Mood and Health in the Black Community
As the days grow shorter and the air turns colder, many of us notice changes in our energy, mood, and overall well-being. For some, winter is a season of cozy nights, and family gatherings, but for others, it can feel heavy, lonely, and exhausting. These shifts are more than just “winter blues” as they can be signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that follows the rhythm of the seasons.

At ITAVCollab, we believe in creating space to talk openly about mental health in the Black community, especially when stigma and stereotypes too often silence our experiences. Our goal is to elevate this conversation with honesty, compassion, and culturally competent care.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that typically occurs during fall and winter months, when sunlight is limited. While symptoms vary, common experiences include fatigue, changes in sleep or appetite, low mood, irritability, and withdrawal from social activities.

For Black women in particular, SAD may go unrecognized or misdiagnosed. Research shows that mental health symptoms in Black communities are often dismissed or attributed to “stress” rather than acknowledged as conditions that require care. This lack of recognition can compound the weight of cultural expectations to “push through,” leaving little room for rest or vulnerability.

How SAD Appears in Black Women
Some ways SAD might manifest

• Irritability and increased sensitivity to stress
• Social withdrawal or feelings of disconnection from community
• Persistent fatigue or changes in sleep patterns
• Difficulty concentrating
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Loss of interest in activities that usually bring joy

Because stereotypes often cast Black women as “strong” or “resilient,” admitting to these struggles can feel like a failure. In reality, naming and addressing SAD is an act of courage, one that affirms our humanity beyond cultural experiences.

Confronting the Stigma
Depression in Black communities is frequently minimized, leading many women to delay or avoid seeking help. Microaggressions such as “you’re too strong for that” or “Black women don’t get depressed” dismiss very real mental health needs. At ITAVCollab, we work to dismantle these harmful narratives by affirming that needing support is not weakness - it is healing.

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​Healthy Coping Mechanisms for the Winter Months
Coping with SAD requires more than generic advice; it calls for practices rooted in culture, identity, and community. At ITAVCollab, our approach to self-care centers on the Nguzo Saba principles of unity, self-determination, collective care, and creativity. This reminds us that healing is both an individualized and shared experience.


Here are a few practices we encourage:

• Movement and Joy: Dancing, stretching, or group exercises can restore energy and boost mood
• Mind and Spirit Nourishment: Journaling, guided meditations, or playlist curated by and for Black women help create moments of stillness and self-reflection
• Connection: surrounding yourself with trusted community members, through ITAVCollab, Wellness Circles, local gatherings, or even small group chats
• Herbal and Nourishing Rituals: Teas such as hibiscus, ginger, and chamomile not only support immunity but also offer grounding rituals
  • Itutu Aptherapy
  • GLUT
  • Herbawhore

Where to Find Support

• Therapy for Black Girls: An online platform that connects Black women and girls to culturally responsive therapists and mental wellness resources.
• Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation:Founded by Taraji P. Henson, this foundation expands access to mental health services and breaks stigma in the Black community
• Eternal Sunshine App: A self-care app offering affirmations, journaling, and mindfulness tools and support emotional well-being.
• Crisis Support: Call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 support.

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ITAVCollab’s Commitment
Our wellness initiatives embody the spirit of Umoja (Unity) by offering a community-centered, trauma-informed approach to addressing the root causes of stress and systemic inequities. Through Wellness Circles, Cohorts, Retreats, and Community Events we provide spaces where historically resilient women can find both rest and restoration.

This winter, we invite you to explore our upcoming events and resources, opportunities to practice awareness, acceptance, and change together. Because even in the darkest months, there is light when we lean into community.

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