Mental health expert says Pittsburgh ranks high among states with season affective disorder

PITTSBURGH — Do days like today with nice temperatures and sunshine have you in a good mood?

We found a lot of people taking advantage of the gorgeous weather today.

A typical February can bring folks down, especially those who suffer from Season Affective Disorder, or SAD.

Northern states have higher incidents of SAD, and a mental health expert we talked to today says Pittsburgh ranks high.

But she says folks she works with who suffer from SAD are reporting better outcomes this year.

“On days like today where it’s going to be 70 and sunny, suddenly, we’re rolling down the windows, and it’s like ‘Party!’ And everybody feels better!” Chrissy Whiting-Madison, Program Director of Sally and Howard Levin Clubhouse, said. “And it makes me wonder if everybody doesn’t have a little bit of seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.”

Chrissy is with the Sally and Howard Levin Clubhouse which is part of The Branch in Squirrel Hill.

She specializes in working with people whose lives have been disrupted by mental illness.

Thursday night, several of them will share their stories about how the clubhouse was instrumental in their mental health recovery, at their annual fundraiser.

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