Resources for Navigating Through Seasonal Depression

Updated on December 12, 2025

Whether it’s going out for a short walk for some sunlight, getting into that succulent growing hobby you’ve been dreaming of, or just doing some stretches to get out of your seat, every little bit helps bring a sense of normalcy. It breaks the increased monotony of the winter season that’s elevated further in a COVID world.

Sometimes, the things floating around the back of your mind can’t be identified and addressed by yourself. Maybe you’re not sure how to handle them on your own, or you need to talk to someone for advice on how to overcome these feelings. That’s okay.

If your mind’s a bit more cloudy during the winter season, or if something residing in your thoughts for a while now rears its head more often in these cold months, we’d like to share a few articles and resources that have helped members of the Discord team when we also need it.

Learning About What’s Going On

The following articles are pieces that the Discord team has found to be a valuable resource in learning more about what may be going on:

• Seasonal affective disorder, winter blues, and self-care tips to get ahead of symptoms, from UC Davis Health.
• To Write Love On Her Arms, a non-profit dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for those struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.
• Take This, an organization providing comprehensive resources and support tailored for the game development community. At PAX, they also hold “Quiet Rooms” that anyone can use to take a breather.

It’s hard to know how to exactly assist when someone may need help. It’s only natural to want to say and do the right things, but most of us aren’t experts. Even if you don’t sit down and get to the bottom of things, letting someone know you’re around if they need anything can make all the difference in the world.

Organizations Within a Moment’s Reach

If you’re looking for some more immediate assistance, below are a few organizations that can help point you in the right direction when you need it the most

• Discord's ThroughLine Directory can help you find free, confidential support in your country via chat, text, or phone via a global network of vetted hotlines. Available in 11 different languages.
• Crisis Text Line, a free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text 741741 from anywhere in the US or CA to text with a trained Crisis Counselor. In the UK, text 85258. In Ireland, text 50808.
• The Trevor Project: The leading organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ young people in the US via text (START to 678-678, phone, or chat) and Mexico (via WhatsApp or Chat).
• The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Free, 24/7, confidential emotional support to those in suicidal crisis or emotional distress in the US and US territories.
• NAMI — National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. They can be reached Monday thru Friday, 10 am to 10 pm ET by calling 1–800–950-NAMI.

We also recommend looking into the Discord Safety Center. Along with its Mental health on Discord page, it provides a ton of valuable resources to help keep your Discord experience an enjoyable one.

This post will always be here when you’re looking for some extra help, so there’s no need to rush to these articles or resources. Feel free to bookmark this post and come back to it if you’re ever interested in checking them out.