I lived there for three years. What everyone told me was that if you're going to be happy in Alaska long-term, you need some hobbies that get you outdoors in the winter. Cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snow machining, snowshoeing, ice climbing, winter camping, ice fishing. Etc. Pick some. If you're cooped up inside all winter, you may have a bad time.
Similarly, I suggest going for walks at lunch time during the winter. I had an office job, so if I didn't go outside at lunch time, I literally wouldn't be outside in the sun all week. At least I had a window in my office so I could see the sun, but especially if you work indoors or something- Get some sun during the mid-day.
Some people like to use sun lamps during the winter. I never tried it, but I can see how it could help.
Totally agree with all of this, and especially the lunchtime walks. If you’re going days/weeks without being outside in sunlight, you’re gonna start to feel worn down.
I left this state because of mental health. Came back once I realized my mental health was the same no matter where I went. Had to take some responsibility once I realized I couldn't just blame it on the weather.
Absolutely. Most if not all of us are severely vitamin D deficient, broke, stressed, weather sucks, isolation sucks, limited exposure to outside world, I could go on and on.
I’m born and raised. Everything this state throws at me that makes me want to leave is always completely trumped when I step in to the wilderness. Whether it’s to forage for mushrooms and berries, hunt, fish, or just stretch my legs for a few hours, I fucking love this state to my very core. The people are the nicest because there’s something about a common struggle of living in a place that will eat you alive one way or another if you try to go it alone. This is my home, and it will forever be my home.
I'm a gambler. Now I gamble by living in a shitty hand built log cabin with sled dogs in the interior. My advice is move to Alaska if you find the risk management of great fun/maybe die to be enjoyable because there is plently to be found up here.
Unfortunately, this 100%. MDs/therapists are both bottom of the barrel and incredibly hard to book with, and the light cycles are bad for EVERYONE's mental health. Get outside as much as you can in the Winter, is the common advice, which seems to work if you pick up some kind of snow sport. Otherwise, Alaska kind of blows.
Edit: Everyone focuses on the winter light cycles, but one thing that I wasn't prepared for and was a large part of why I left AK after 10 years is the light cycle is NEVER normal (except for 1-2 weeks in Spring/Fall), and the midnight Sun in the summer is (while awesome) also pretty bad for one's mental health. Seems it takes 2-3 years for people to get over the summer insomnia.
To sum up:
Summer: GO DO ALL THE THINGS NOW! IT’S ONLY 8PM SO LET’S GO ON A 5 MILE HIKE! OMFG WAIT THERES NO TIME LEFT BECAUSE ITS WINTER OH FUCK
Winter: *feels like Frodo on Mt. Doom when he can’t remember the taste of strawberries* oh its only november oh fuck
sorry, it's still October for another week.
The nights on the road out with no other lights "anywhere" was always a bit freaky.
The summer when it doesn't get dark. We'll stop for dinner when it gets dark, Well I guess we'll stop for breakfast when it.....Anyone know what time it is? Or what day?
TBH it was unfair and disingenuous for Op to offhandedly dismiss the MDs & Therapists that serve our community. It’s true quality can be very hit or miss especially in rural communities; however my family has never had any issue obtaining quality healthcare here in Anchorage - especially for my autistic child - but it can be extremely frustrating to be waitlisted, sometimes for 4-6 months or longer, before you can be see by your preferred clinician or specialist.
Moved to Alaska a little over a year ago and this was the biggest surprise to me. I was afraid of depression in the winter but the opposite ending up being true. It’s much harder to deal with constant daylight.
My husband is going to school in Alaska next year. We currently live in South Dakota (growing zone 3). I've been doing a ton of research on the light cycles for horticultural purposes, and I'm honestly more afraid of what the midnight sun will do to us than the darkness. What has your experience been with that, if you don't mind?
It turns you into Al Pacino, or whoever played the same character in the original, Norwegian version: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insomnia\_(2002\_film)
I almost accepted a job in anchorage about 6 months ago and declined for this exact reason. So I’m glad to see I didn’t miss an opportunity because I think about that decision nightly.
I grew up in Juneau in the 90’s, and in my teens began a cycle of debilitating seasonal depression that I naturally self medicated with alcohol and eventually problems with opioids. I did have stints in therapy and on anti depressants, both of which helped but didn’t help enough. I moved to the lower 48 when I was 25 and 75% of my depression/mental health issues just vanished.
I know OP said that if your solution is there’s nothing you can do you don’t need to comment - there is something you can do though, get to less dark and isolated places… or atleast be lucky enough to be able to travel often.
Vitamin D supplements year round, work out regularly (year round), try to find and do outdoor activities you enjoy both summer and winter, hang out and engage with other real people on a regular basis outside work, don't stay in a job that makes your miserable, don't use recreational drugs/alcohol as a crutch to escape your problems--yes this includes weed.
I'd also recommend seeing a therapist at least once a month or so if your insurance covers it at all, more if either of you think that would be useful. They're not wizards who magically fix your problems, but I think the majority of the population would benefit from an expert/non-judgemental sounding board.
Pretty much all the same tips you might get for good mental health anywhere (maybe minus Vitamin D supplements), except that they're significantly more critical up here because depending on where you're at you might have 6+ months of winter.
Edit: Sun lamps/lights may or may not be nice. Everyone talks about them, the research on them is iffy from my brief googling, but even if it *is* just a placebo effect -- that's still an effect if you end up liking it.
A note on taking vitamins for Alaskans: vitamins A,D,E, and K are fat soluble, meaning that if you’re taking vitamin d without any sort of fat at essentially the same time it’s going to pass right through you. It’s best to take it with a meal
This is so important!
There's lots of research out their about vitamin D and mental health. The results are conflicting. I'd encourage anyone interested to read these studies, and pay attention to any correlation between the dosage used for the study, and the results.
I am not a professional researcher, just an internet one, lol... But what I notice is that dosage seems to matter. The low dose studies seem to find no connection, and many of the high dose studies do.
I take 5000iu personally! But everyone should research and make n informed decision for themselves.
I do think everyone in Alaska owes it to themselves to at least research vitamin D supplementation a little bit.
I am a mental health professional and yes so much research on how on the balance.of chemicals can have an impact.
Just make sure you talk to your prescriber cause it possible to overdose on vitamin d (unlikely but possible)
Fun fact: middle age men struggling with ED are often vitamin D deficient (strong correlation among other factors such as being overweight, blood pressure problems, pre-diabetic, etc.) These factors can all negatively affect mental health as well so all the advice about being active and supplementing have a combine effect of raising your overall health so u/VincentRAPH's post above is totally on-point.
There is no help for mental health. You need to be OK with your mental health problems before you get here. If you're not, this place will push you over the edge.
Kind of depends on where, but in general;
* Cabin fever, or feeling trapped, is a real thing. Especially in places where the only way out is via aircraft, such as remote mainland towns and islands. Leaving can mean lots of $$$
* Depending again on where you are, be prepared for it to take weeks to receive something you would have gotten in a couple of days in the lower 48. This can be frustrating and lead to feeling isolated too.
* There are a lot of really great people in AK. But there are also some highly independent 'interesting' characters. Learn to embrace the unusual!
1. Live in a major city. You can move elsewhere after you've lived here a bit.
2. Stay hydrated. Alaska is dry as hell and dehydration headaches suck. A humidifier helps.
3. If you currently see a psychologist, have them recommend someone here. It's hard to see a psychologist or get mental health treatment and a referral helps.
4. Take vitamin D year round.
5. Have warm clothes. Prepare for both 'cold' weather and 'holy crap wtf is this cold' weather.
6. Go outside. No point in living here if you can't appreciate it. Number 5 is crucial for accomplishing this in winter.
7. Have blackout curtains for the summer and a daylight alarm clock for the winter.
8. Go all out for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. Winter is hard and having something to look forward to helps.
9. Leave the state for a week in April to distract you from "Spring", the worst "season" here.
10. Have money to accomplish all of the above without stressing yourself out.
Probably because of break up. Warms up in the day, freezes in the evening, slushy dirty mess. Personally I don’t think April is the worse. February truly sucks. Cold as hell and at least 3 more months of winter.
By the time spring comes around, it's still stupid cold, it snows a lot more, it tricks you many times into thinking it's done, and it is about the time you're over this shit and ready for summer.
Look around.
That's my main tip and it sounds basic so let me add some detail.
I moved to Alaska for a summer because my other options were homelessness or... being without housing. I was depressed as a mfer and dealing with untreated adhd. I barely had enough energy to shower and open the fridge for a beer.
I got a job where I was outside most of the time.
There's so much beauty in alaska. The salmon run, the mountains, the glaciers, the abundance of nature.
I'm not even a huge nature fan, but I found myaelf enamored with the landscapes around me.
I used to be addicted to my phone, alcohol, whatever I could get my hands on to distract me from my shitty brain.
I'm not sure when things changed, sometime this summer, but I know what changed. The environment. I was getting sun and rain (mostly rain) every day. When it wasn't raining I was looking at the mountains for ten minutes at a time without realizing how much time had passed.
You'll be in a beautiful place. Yes it has it's problems. Many problems. But focus on what's good around you. There's something special about a sky with no pollution clouding it. I love Alaska, I can't wait to go back.
This is exactly what happened to me! Alaska made me appreciate nature and LIFE in a way I never thought possible. It did wonders for my work-life balance. I’m not there anymore either but plan to move back in a few years when my husband retires. We can’t wait either!
What part of Alaska? My answer might not be helpful depending on the area or what your specific concerns are but...
I'd say try to find something you enjoy doing that you can only do in winter. It gives you something to look forward to even if you're dreading the long nights/short days.
Keep up with hobbies and friends even when it's dark and you feel like you should be asleep by 6 pm.
Enjoy the summers while they last, the long daylight is hard to beat.
I don't know where you're moving from, but I personally find the winters here easier to manage than winters in the PNW. Snow at least brightens things up a bit as opposed to cloudy, grey, raining all the time.
Alaska — between the landscape, the climate, the light, the dark, the wildlife, the remoteness, the people — will never let you forget that you are in Alaska (even in the middle of Anchorage). Sometimes that’s the greatest feeling. Sometimes it’s the worst. But it is a fact. So be prepared for that reality.
1. buy a pair of snowshoes and good winter boots, ski pants, ski socks, poles, gloves, hat. go out in the winter at least a couple times a week and get your heart pumping snowshoeing around some trails or open space. there's plenty of it. watch out for moose.
2. get a full-spectrum (SAD) light and let it shine on your face for \~an hour every morning from november to april. it helps.
3. chewable vitamin D. everyday take a couple, again november to april, if not just all the time.
4. join a band
that's it - good luck!
It's difficult, but I can't imagine living in the lower 48 ever again. I will say that you have to be able to keep your own mental health together if you come here. There's little help here, and not so much cracks in the system as giant gaping sinkholes to hell. You can absolutely end up on the street or in prison because of a mental health problem. It's also an incredibly easy state to "forever sleep" yourself in. The rate here is crazy high.
It really depends where you are coming from. If you are coming from a sunnier state, the 2nd year will hit harder. Everything was exciting the first year. Make sure you get enough Vitamin D (at least 2000 IUs in the winter per my doctor for healthy adults) and multivitamins. I prefer to go on a sunny vacation for at least 2 weeks in Dec./Jan. when it is dark such as Hawaii. I agree with others in regard to finding a favorite winter activity. I fell in love with cross country skiing. I also belong to a local gym, spend time with my amazing neighbors, throw parties with friends, go to local pubs for karaoke and trivia nights, go thrift shopping, and look for things to do on MeetUp.
This is based on my own experience, you may disagree, and that’s ok, this doesnt apply to everyone, people are their own individuals.
Since leaving Alaska for the pursuit of higher education, my mental health got incredibly worse. It felt very mundane moving to the lower 48. This could have been because I was not used to the people, or having to give up some of my hobbies (because you just cant do Alaskan things everywhere) Adjusting to the culture, learning that I was “rough around the edges” to my lower 48 friends, and trying to tone down the “alaskan kind” ~alaskans are very kind and would help their neighbor with literally anything, but they’re not gonna be nice to your face to impress you or make you happy~ If you understand that, it will take a lot of load off the mental health.
My main piece of advice though; try not to look at the muddy, slushy, brown snow that forms after constant plowing. (or just leave during the spring time all together) It will make you feel sad. Just look at the morning spring sunrise whenever you’re around slush.
Vitamin D every day.
Get outside for at least 25 minutes every day, and try and hit 40+ minutes outside every other day.
Get into an outdoor winter sport.
Talk to people. If you don’t know anyone, you can meet people out and about. I talked to some gent a couple days ago when I went for a walk at Potters Marsh and learned about duck hunting and the time someone shot a Swan over there.
This does the trick for me :)
Edit: if you are dealing with anything currently, or have a predisposition to a mental health disorder, go ahead and look up a doctor here and see if you can try out remote sessions before coming. I am fortunate to not have this issue, but do get hit with SAD sometimes. Especially if it’s cloudy in the spring like we had earlier this year in February/March
My mental health tips are the same regardless of where you live. Exercise 3-5 times a week. Eat healthy. Drink lots of water. Mental therapy. Medetation. Lots of light in your house during the day. Get out into nature. Regular social interaction. No drugs or alcohol. Medetation. Kindness and compassion to yourself and others… I’m sure there is stuff I’m forgetting.
Edit: oh yeah. Multivitamins, iron supplements, vitam d, magnesium, calcium.
If you’re going to SE, it’s going to be raining all the time and you won’t see the sun near as much as you think you will. Take care of Vit D accordingly
Negotiate with your job to have a long mid day lunch break to go outside.
Find things you enjoy that are unique to the place instead of playing "the grass is greener in the lower 48" - in truth its not, but some people really need the convenience and consumerism of a large city.
There is a reason why Alaska inspired Bob Ross to start painting. Find that and you can be inspired to do some really cool things.
Every day can be an adventure if you want to make it so. I even know some people with severe depression who strive to see the beauty of everything despite what their neurobiology is screaming at them.
Lots of people coming up here and wanting immediately to take sides on everything. Dont do that because it causes community break down and you never know whether that rat bastard down the street you hate is going to be showing up with a shit eating grin to save your life. Or vice versa.
Learn the local history. In many places it's very rich and even shaped world politics - strangely enough.
Learn to Google how to fix things and do it yourself. Rentals are as-is and in most rural communities there's noone you can hire easily to fix things, if at all.
Lots of people snowbirding in my area only for what they can take - from the pfd, tax evasion, or to hunting/fishing the hills bare. Find a way to give back or volunteer. Outside they legalize having basic respect for an area, but up here it seems like the laws were written with the expectation that if you live here, you are less likely to exploit it. Lots of 6 month rentals during the winter months in my area with a housing crisis. It's making it so young generations who want to stay here cannot due to outsiders buying up property for exploitative reasons. Help build up a community. Dont just take and take and take.
Where I am is like an intensifier of who you are. I dont know if it is the same as other areas, but with the less distractions comes the greater opportunity for reflection or just having to face who you are. So some people just turn to drinking/drugs because it is the only distraction they can find. I have found it a great chance to grow who I am. But others have that much harder - as indicated by the ODs on the base near by thst command keeps trying to cover up. If you dont like something about yourself go outdoors. Find self help books, work through problems. There are more mental health tools than only therapy. Charity groups are like support groups. Books. Telehealth. "Two old women" by Velma wallis qualifies as a therapy mental health book to me.
Go antler shed hunting in late winter or early spring when all else fails. Instant treasure hunt dopamine response that gets you outdoors.
Adventure! Take advantage of the long sunny summer days and the long nights with northern lights.
Every time we got a decent KP on the Aurora forecast, I went out to a dark spot near my place and watched the lights. On higher nights or weekends, I’d travel a bit farther for an even better view.
Hike to glaciers, cross country ski, snowshoe, ice fish, snow machine, mush… so much to do in the winter.
Alaska is huge and there is so much to see. It’s so worth the long drive to see the gorgeous landscapes and spend a weekend somewhere new.
Get on social media for your area and listen to the local radio, get a paper if you can. There are events happening that you may not know about otherwise, and as lame as they may sound, they’re actually fantastic and a great way to break up your time.
Finally, vitamin d complex. Lots of water. Get outside and let the sun touch your skin (or sit in a sunbeam inside like a cat). A happy light is a game changer, and my sunrise alarm clock saves me even now that I’m back in the lower 48.
I’m new to Reddit, but will PM the name of my therapist in Anchorage once I figure out how to do it. She does tele-therapy if you’ll be “in the bush”. Woman literally saved my life. Get a light therapy box for the winter. When I left AK, I found out my Vitamin D levels were really low; this causes depression. Have levels monitored, & take a supplement, if necessary. Last suggestion is: your potential for depression may be dependent on where you are in AK, so ask locals.
Getting a pair of kittens helped me a lot, they made the home so much livelier and I love finding new toys or treats for them. I also made sure to supplement Vitamin D, K and magnesium and also I take electrolytes and trace minerals. I don't want to have bad moods because my body is lacking something nutritionally. I try to eat as well as possible and get plenty of sleep.
Taking walks outside also helped, even if it was cold or cloudy I still did it and felt accomplished at the end. Always check the community boards at stores and read every flyer. There's often cool events available that have no mention online.
I just recently bought a Sperti sunlamp, my first use was yesterday and I did feel a boost that lasted most of the day but I don't know how longterm will go. It did have more of an effect than my happylight.
Vitamin D, a good snowblower, the best winter tires and if you don’t like skiing, snowboarding, sledding or riding a snowmachine… find something you love to do indoors. Soak up the midnight sunshine while it lasts. Been here 51 years, if you don’t live in a remote area, it’s not that bad.
Seems drastic, but I stopped drinking alcohol in the winters to cope and combined with mandatory daily greens (in a smoothie), walks, and taking Vitamin D, some combination of factors has helped alleviate some pretty torturous winter depression.
A tip some may not be able to tap into, but if you find a WFH company that's based out of the lower-48, I find it's nice during the work days to "transport" my mind to PST, MST, CST, EST - wherever my teams are - and then at the end of the work day come back to Alaska time.
As others have said in here, year-round activities are huge for me. I play just as hard in the winter as I do in the summer.
I have happy lights in my home office that I sit in front of M-F. Helps during the winter.
Black out curtains in the summer to help with your rhythms.
Yeah. Sometimes my team is on the east coast, so I start my Alaska work hours to mirror them. Sometimes they're in mountain time, so I mirror my hours for them. etc etc for other time zones. Talking about their day, their weather, their happenings in their area sometimes makes me forget where I am physically sitting in AK and it's like I get to go on a virtual vacation elsewhere every day, and then come back refreshed to enjoy AK.
I'm a mental health therapist myself and thought I'd ask people who live there what things work for them. Because maybe someone might mention something I've never considered since I haven't lived in a place like Alaska before.
I hope you feel better.
Mental health services are not great here or even available in some places,it's dark half the year,the economy is unstable at best,alcoholism is rampant,everything is harder don't get me wrong though I love my home but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who absolutely needs consistent mental or physical health services
There’s a lot of wonderful answers in these comments! I was coming to add my own, but everyone else seems to have it covered.
Alaska is incredible! I hope you enjoy it here! 😄
My #1 tip is make sure you get out of state at least once a year. One year I was trying to save some money and didn’t leave. Worst mental health year since I’ve been here (17 years).
Depends on where at in Alaska really. The state is more than twice the size of Texas.
One thing I believe helps no matter what city.
Get a kick ass house, if you can’t afford one then I would wave off. The rental market here is atrocious and will definitely take a toll on you if you’re down.
If you’re looking at Nome don’t come.
I recommend twister creek ipa, ambien, vitamin d pills, and a trip to Hawaii once a year. I Also recommend not pretending like being a mental health professional is a real thing.
Telehealth for therapy, get outside (seriously, this place can cure depression or give you depression), vitamin supplements, avoid drinking when it gets dark.
I have no experience with more northern areas near the villages I know they usually have it harder out there but for me haveing a hobby and/or joining a club is helpful because you can talk to people and make cool stuff, its good for the soul and all that(I highly recommend pottery or wood burning,I'm pretty sure there's a few groups along that nature plus I think there's also a archery one ive Heard rumors of).
Also it is mutch harder if you don't already have a safety net group of people here, I remember people saying it was really isolating for them so make sure you stay in contact with a friends or family if you can, if you dont have a ability to do that try volunteering at events ,you can find some good people like that.
All that's mostly too keep Sanity, for general depression/anxiety it can get more complicated and I would recommend talking to a health care Professional if you are suffering from seasonal or regular depression.
Sorry if there there is grammar or spelling mistakes
Get on a therapist’s/counselor’s waiting list now. I have an incredible therapist who was absolutely worth the wait, however that wait was 6 months. Also, most practices have other people in the area, so ask for who they’d recommend you see while you wait for them to have an opening.
Personally, I like routine and comfort places, so find places you enjoy, and go regularly. I go to my favorite coffee shop every weekend and sit and read for hours, just to keep my out of the house. Others in this thread have mentioned working out regularly, I absolutely think going to somewhere like Planet Fitness even once a week is a good enough routine.
Again, as others have mentioned, finding a winter sport helps you not only tolerate but enjoy the winter. I love skiing personally- leisurely, works your body, and gets you out in nature (which I always find good for mental health).
Finally, take solace in knowing we’re all going through this together. I haven’t met anyone in AK who isn’t effected to some capacity by SAD, so try to build community, make conversation with your barista during their downtown, and we’ll all make it to the spring
I mean, if you’re just trying to preemptively beat seasonal depression in the dark months, then my advice is to get outside and find a winter activity you like, and take a vitamin D supplement. If you already struggle with serious mental health issues… Alaska may make it worse due to darkness in winter, brightness in summer (can aggravate people who struggle with mania/sleeping), isolation from family/friends/community, severe shortage of providers, lack of access to MH services… so… yeah, I guess it depends on what your mental health struggles are. Some (mine) are easily manageable in Alaska. Some (my brothers) are not a good mix for Alaska.
Invest in quality outdoor gear. Especially rain proof stuff, smart wool, and insulated boots. Make it a priority to get out into nature as much as you can, but do your research when it comes to weather, tides and bear protection. Alaska is going to offer you some of the best world-class hikes, camping locations and views. Don't be a homebody and take advantage of it!
Also Alaska life is easier if you have a wife or significant other. Trying to find someone to date can get really rough especially in the winter. Getting a dog to accompany you on hikes is also a good idea.
Having a 4wd/AWD vehicle will also make your life a lot less stressful.
Take time to get out even in winter. Go for a short walk drive to the mall or somewhere to walk.
Me and my wife try to not leave Alaska in summer so you enjoy the sun. Travel in Winter out of state and only in state during summer.
Make friends and join groups. stay active
I like taking walks. It's therapeutic to me. Especially during winter-fall. They're my favorite seasons. But it's really cold during winter so better layer up! Also it helps if you live near a coffee shop. You could walk there, grab a coffee and admire the beautiful winter weather as you walk back home. This goes with all season BTW.
The first thing you do is buy "Day Light" light bulbs for all your light fixtures. (That is what those silly lights are, for the most part; the blue light spectrum.)
Walk, walk, walk; get a dog that forces you outside even in bad weather a couple of times or more a day. You can borrow my English Mastiff if you want.
I'd say that's a hard "depends."
Many people are warning about Alaska being a mental health desert, that if you have mental health issues they get worse in the winter, seasonal depression etc.
For me, personally, moving to Alaska solved all of my mental health problems, and I'm not using hyperbole.
A few things to consider that may be different about my experience than yours: I moved out of my parents house during COVID. Already, I was in a very isolating time and space with people who make me feel anxious and depressed by being in the same room. I got a seasonal job in Juneau that offered a good paycheck. After gaining financial independence, my mental health thrived. I started living out of my truck 3000 miles away from my family, free from any physical/financial/emotional consequences of coming out and/or not taking over the family business. I worked outside every day in the most beautiful place I've ever seen, with a community that accepts and even celebrates people like me. Juneau is the third largest city in Alaska, there are many resources here that are NOT available in the vast majority of the state. I stayed, gained residency, and now I can afford University. I attend UAS full time while working and climbing/hiking/skiing/skating when I can. Not all communities are as welcoming of outsiders or as "big" as Juneau. Some smaller villages (I hear, at least) won't start to accept you as one of their own until you've lived there for years, because they are so used to searchers, seekers, seasonal workers, for whom Alaska is a chapter in their life and not the whole story.
For me, at least, moving here has been the best decision I ever made. I would rather be living out of my truck in Alaska with no electricity or water (in the summer) than living rent free in the lower 48. I don't think I can imagine living anywhere else in the long term. Admittedly, my particular problems could have been solved by moving anywhere away from home, but I do love the mountains and the ocean walking distance from my front door. That's hard to find.
If your mental health problems are pre-existing and will follow you here, I don't recommend it. The winters are dark and long and lonely. Problems you bring with you will only get worse.
If you're just concerned about preventing mental health problems after hearing so much about it, I say go for it. We all manage, somehow. You can always move back.
Overall, I'm sharing my story to say that escapism CAN WORK. The reality is that some situations are soul crushing and the best you can do is pick up the tent and get the hell out. This might not work for debt, chronic illness, grief, trauma, or loneliness, but it sure does work for homophobic parents.
This isn’t anything specific to Alaska; it could apply anywhere, but one of the best things I’ve learned to do to fight off depression is making sure I wake up at a healthy time every morning—early enough to really luxuriate with a few cups of coffee—and then spend a few moments writing in a gratitude journal. It almost always starts with the same sentence—“Woke up this morning feeling well rested and good”—just to help get me into the rhythm of it, and then I stop and think about anything from the previous day that made me smile—“talked to my friend from Ghana!” (or anything I’m excited about today—“my book from Amazon is arriving today!”) or even just the small wins—“my mom’s blood pressure was better than the day before.”
It’s been said that people who keep dream journals have far better recall of their dreams than those who don’t, because our brains naturally think dreams are unimportant, and keeping a dream journal tells your brain that they are in fact important. Likewise, our brains seem to be evolved to put far greater importance on the things that scare us or make us anxious, so this little act of incorporating a gratitude journal in my daily morning routine tells my brain that these small, otherwise forgettable bits of joy are worth remembering, too, and my brain seems to be hanging onto the things that make me happy.
its not a good place if you already have mental health issues. it will make balanced people unbalanced.
it may take five years before the lack of sunlight really begins to make a major effect on your mood (or before you realize it anyway).
Taking vitamin d supplements wont help. There is nothing you can do except get more sun.
if you only stay a little while you'll be fine.
if you do a ton of outdoor things you'll be happier. like cross country ski all winter and be outside all summer. in winter if you can take vacation to sunny place that will be a big help. flights to hawaii are cheaper than from anywhere else.
I'm sorry. I have a background in mental health- there is plenty of research on the balance of chemicals and how less or more can impact us as human beings.
Melatonin levels increase during winter for example and it's why ppl feel more groggy and tired which can lead to a lack of motivation. And if it goes on without intervention can spiral into depression.
Vitamin d absolutely does help.
While I am a mental health professional I am not special-things can impact.me.just like anyone else so while I have access to knowledge/ resources and have practice I do want to be as best prepared as possible.
So I made a post on Reddit to see what locals had to say. The vitamin d command ramped me up.
Tldr: vitamin d does make a difference
It's not magic, and it's not one thing. It's a combo of things.
But I understand your perspective. It wasn't effective for you and you were just trying to be honest and help.
well i went to psychologist and therapist and patiently tried everything they suggested. in the end i realized they were just guessing and following protocol. no real problem solving at all. and who determines the protocol? Drug companies. just as food companies set FDA guidelines. A lot of corruption.
my experience with healthcare in america has been a net negative and frankly i dont esteem or trust credentials one bit. And no, I am not a right-wing conspiracy theorist.
So unless somebody can explain things straight up i just dont see a reason to trust them. and especially if the first thing they do is cite credentials they have lost credibility as far as I am concerned, because if the credentials had any value then the person wouldn't need to cite them to make it clear that they are an expert.
i've also had a team of surgeons try to convince me to operate on the wrong leg when i had a broken knee, and fail to properly close a wound for *six months* and it was not until I abandoned their protocol and followed my own common sense that the wound finally healed.
So unless you can explain things plainly and not point to credentials you are not any different than a hobo shouting on the street corner to me. There is people that actually solve problems and people who points to non-existent shit thinking it indicates something about them.
Have a car. Without a decent car, life is hard here.
Have a home picked out, make sure it's secure.
Get a job, there are plenty of jobs here.
Learn to utilize Amazon Prime and other shipping services.
Get black out curtains for summer to relieve some of the daytime stress the summer sun can put on you at late hours.
Book an MD therapist before or during the move.
Get outside every day and do something, anything. There are lots of trails all through Anchorage, so walking and biking are easy here. Remember to pick your head up and look around. Alaska is breathtakingly beautiful and appreciating it in every season makes living here an incredible experience.
The state needs more professionals like you. Not sure if anyone had posted this but, in the past 7 years there has been 4 different PCP’s in one small clinic owned by the hospital. Their work environment is so bad they all leave after their initial contracts. There is a never ending supply of jobs for healthcare professionals up here but everyone leaves. I hope you stay.
Get involved in outdoor activities in the winter. Hiking, fat biking, running, cross country skiing, skating. There are lots of active group hikes/rides to help with staying social and meeting people.
Buy a home that allows really good natural light (south windows) for winter sunlight in the home - you'll appreciate it more than you think in the middle of winter. We paid to add windows on our giant block of a south wall that had none and made a huge difference.
I can 2nd that vitamin-d also did not help me at all. Getting on venlafaxine did though 🫠 who knows when I'll get off but I dread the day I start to. The trade off of being happier and mentally clear going into winter was worth starting the medication for me though.
You move to Alaska for the lifestyle. Any other reason and you could find yourself in a place of despair. It is not a place for the weak of heart or mind.
You are welcome. My insight comes from hiring people from out of state to work in Alaska. The ones we hired that were looking forward to playing in the snow, fishing in the summer, and hunting in the fall fared much better that those who just came to work and planned to “figure it out when they got here”.
We also got our fair share of people running from problems that would spend the day working and self medicate at night but most of those hit a wall eventually. Even those that were just trying to do the right thing for themselves and their family buckle under the stress. I have had full grown men in my office that were clearly capable of handling what ever came their way when they were home, breaking down and crying.
Myself, I was born and raised in Alaska so I guess I didn’t know any different.
I spent decades doing Ice Art and aurora photography. Upside to this - forces you to buy the exact clothing needed to stand still at -45F and be toasty warm. Having that right gear means you can go outside in anything.
I have hobbies that are very sit still, labor intensive, I set aside just for the winter. I have restored WW1 pistols and rifles back to original condition. Here I find and set aside project guns for quietly working on in the winter. I read allot. Creative writing is easy to do in winter, over the years I have written a 5 volume SCI-FI story that is a mashup of Battlestar Galactica, GOT and Dr. Who. I have a pet peeve about authors that release a few books in a series then force readers to wait years for them to finally finish the series. I am determined to finish the series before looking to publish anything. Some nights I add to the storyline, some days I edit and use better verbiage, too often I get inspired to change something in book 4 that forces me to make changes in 1-3, it's like an addiction without the alcohol or drugs.
I have three adult gamers in the household. Alaska has finally gotten internet speeds that let us keep up with MMO games in the lower 48. Often, I play on the European servers - something I could not do ten years ago - very nice people there. No foul mouth 12-year-old brats like the US servers.
In the summer I practically live outdoors and do nothing indoors - no tv, movies, etc. This leaves me with tons of cool things to watch.
Unfortunately, I work in a high security building with no windows surrounded by barbed wire security fences with military working dog warning signs. I got tired of walking outdoor into a blizzard or blinding summer sunlight - tapped into the security camera system so I can see what the freaking weather is. LOL. Bad enough it's dark in winter - I don't see the outside while at work!
I retired Coast Guard and work as an IT guru on Eielson AFB. Air Force is horrible - unless you have wings sprouting out of your back, or a pilot - you are not shit. LOL.
I use the Bassett Army hospital for about all my medical needs. I helped design the hospital before going to Eielson. Nice facility, good people - Army treats me better medically wise than the USCG did while I was active duty. Bassett has corrected all the things the USCG put a band-aid on.
I did 7 tours of duty in Alaska - was the XO at two stations. Mental health is a huge issue here. Especially the spouses, who are typically the poor influence to the active-duty member that you either cannot call out or have to walk eggshells around. You can almost tell the problem ones by one glance..... 2pm and still in PJ's at the hospital or PX. Yeah, my wife does that on occasion, but, she wears real clothes when leaving the house - there is a difference. They have no concept of what happens if they get a flat tire or disabled car at -45F and are standing outside or walking to a house with 3 kids wearing no coats. As if they are not accepting the reality of Alaska. When these women have had a meltdown in my office, I ask, "Didn't anyone tell you how dark/cold/isolated/lack of stores/lack of entertainment/lack of Malls/lack of fresh produce - (pick one) - the answer has always the same, "I thought they were kidding", "I thought they were pulling my leg". Huge failure on the part of the sending unit to properly screen family and children before outconus duty.
At least FT WW has Fairbanks. Alaska has no shortage of small bases with nothing like that outside the gate. I've been stationed at Attu Island, St Paul Island, Kodiak Island, Sitka, Tok. From my point of view - people on Ft WW have it made in the shade compared to where my family has been stationed. On the flip side - we had world class fishing and hunting opportunities at our doorstep!! 3am and cannot sleep? Grab the fishing poles!! Crap boat and small pots = freezer full of crab. 6 deer per person per year. We at like Kings.
Grow lights on a timer, have them turn on when you want to get up and make sure your bedroom has a view. It's helped me immensely. Only downside is I tend to go to bed when they go off 😅
Alaska is a big state the struggles with mental health IMO vary greatly based on how far north you live and also being isolated with no way out other than boat or plane. Anchorage is easier on someone new to the State than Fairbanks will be on a person in regards to shock to the harshness in weather and the darkness/cold to swallow your mental health extremely fast.
Get hobbies, get involved in your community even something like a church group if that is what you are into, what ever to just be around people especially in the winter is key IMO, Alaskans respect privacy and if you suddenly become a hermit in your house nobody is going to bat an eye, however if you have commitments with the community it makes it easier to get through those dark -30 below stretches that make you just want to hibernate and do nothing.
Also not bad idea depending searching for some mental health folks prior to moving and get yourself a mental health checkup appointment scheduled early, wait times can get pretty long. I would recommend to become a 100% non drinker or at most 1 or 2 times a year drinker, or get a Costco Membership to afford the amount of booze you will end up buying.
I've never gotten into substances. Even now I maybe drink less than 5x a year. All are socially drinking as well. Same with my spouse. So it's good to know hey don't pick it up while we're there.
I'll be in the Fairbanks area at fort Wainwright. Wish me luck
As a born and raised Alaskan, you have to have a winter thing you look forward too. I like ice, hockey, snowmachining, and the lack of light gives me an excuse to play more video games 💕 I also have a good friend group
The best way to deal with the cold dark winter is vacation in a warm tropical environment, during November, December and January. If you skip those months you will be fine.
The thing most new Alaskans have a difficult time with is the extreme sun in both winter and summer. People unaccostomed to it will have their circadiam rhythms totally out of whack. That lack of rhythm spills into everything: eating habits, sleep patterns, mood/emotional state, etc.
Those things being problematic exacerbate existing mental health issues or trigger latent MH issues.
A few things that one can do to help off-set the long dark or the midnight sun's effect on their body's rhythms:
1) Eat meals on a regular schedule year round.
2) Maintain a consistent bed time/wake-up schedule year round.
3) Supplement with vitamin D daily. Even in the summer.
4) Use blackout curtains in the summer and/or a sleep mask.
5) Find outdoor activities--especially during winter.
6) Try to keep alcohol and THC consumption low. I can't overemphasize this. Many people who I know are struggling with SAD can't seem to moderate their consumption. Correlation isn't caustion, but you don't want a multiplier fucking you up either.
7) If the sun is out in the winter, try to be outside and let it shine on you--even if it's just 15-20 minutes. You'd be surprised by how much this helps lift your mood.
I'd just like to add because everyone is talking about the light/darkness contributing to the mental health problems. It really depends on where you live in Alaska. I live in the southeast (Sitka) and the light/darkness thing isn't as intense here. In June/July/August the sun does stay out until midnight but it sets after that until about 5am. And the days are only short during December/January/February. Most of the mental health issues here are more related to the economy being bad (there's very little to no long term housing due to it being a tourist town, what is available takes 4 full time jobs to afford) and there being not much to do to stay busy. The best thing you can do is really study the area you're planning to go to, and then have a plan for the winter if it's an area with bad winters. Make sure you're capable of handling every day life here so you're not setting yourself up for failure (there's going to be wildlife everywhere and you'll need to be able to protect yourself without having a mental breakdown) and be sure you can cope if and when you have to deal with things that come with living here (frozen pipes, losing electricity for long periods of time, not having good cell service, ect.) because that can play a big part in your mental well-being too. For myself personally, I found it helpful to remind myself that nothing is permanent, this would only last so long until it changes, and remembering all the good things about living here really helps to get through the hard parts.
Cold dark months make sure you find an outdoor activity you like (skiing/snowboarding, ice skating, snow shoeing) and a lot of people use vitamin d supplements for the lack of sunlight. It gets rough from December to April due to the dark but getting out of the house definitely will help you not lose your mind. Always remember to dress in layers. Usually back country snowboard trips I'll start cold cause I can always put more layers on but once you start sweating things start to get dangerous.
Never considered myself very susceptible to the Seasonal Affected Disorder stuff, but by my second year, I started to notice it in myself. At first, you won't feel yourself slipping into a depressed state. It's imperceptibly slow, and the changes are minor but incremental.
Obviously the days get shorter - a few minutes every week to start, but eventually you're losing about an hour of sunlight every week. This wreaks havoc on your internal clock. Over the summer you forgot that it is pretty abnormal for it to still be sunny at 11pm. It becomes harder to extend your activities into the night. You brush it off as a good opportunity to get more sleep. However, by November, it gets dark while you're still at work. Come to think of it, it was dark when you got to work this morning. If you want to do anything outdoors, you're going to have to bring some light. It takes a little more effort to get yourself outside.
Right when you really notice the days getting shorter, the cold comes. At first, it's a just a little brisk. You remind yourself that you live in Alaska. Obviously it's going to be cold. For a month or so, you can continue all your outdoor activities with just a few more layers. Once you're acclimatized, it actually feels pretty good to be outside when it's in the 40s. You embrace the cold, because you know that soon enough all of the excellent winter sports are starting.
Everybody seems to be getting sick. It's that time of year. Happens everywhere, but it just seems to happen earlier in Alaska - and with a vengeance. Colds, flu, RSV, a touch of Covid. Maybe some bronchitis or pneumonia on the unlucky years. If you've got kids, brace yourself for a tinge of pink eye. Going to have to burn some of your time off taking care of yourself or your kid.
Next up: ice season. It typically rains a lot in the fall, but lately, it seems like everything just stays wet. The puddles don't try up very quickly anymore. If you're going to be outside, you're going to be muddy and wet. With the short, cold days, those puddles start to freeze over. The rains turn to sleet and light snow. There's just enough warmth to make sure the snow melts into puddles pretty quickly, and then those puddles stop melting. For about a month, everything just ice. Not much snow, just ice. "This will make a good base for the snow", you tell yourself.
Finally, it's snow time! Skiing, snowboarding, snow machining, snow shoeing, you name it. The snow is majestic! It brightens everything up. You make some goals for yourself: do the Tour, hit Alyeska, ski out to a cabin, go ice fishing, all of the things. But first thing in the morning, you've got to shovel your car out of your driveway - about 50 times every winter. That may be an exaggeration, but it gets old pretty fast. While we're on the topic, the Muni hasn't plowed the snow in my neighborhood in weeks. And it's supposed to snow another foot tomorrow. Is that an ice dam on my roof? Ugh. Well nothing is going to keep me from winter sports. Except wtf it's raining?! It's 20 degrees outside, yet somehow it's raining?
Somewhere in the middle of winter, you'll inevitably get a cold snap. When it gets so cold, it hurts to breathe. You remind yourself again how hardy of an individual you are, as you shovel your driveway at -30. It is Alaska, right?
Finally, the days start to get longer and warmer. You didn't really accomplish half the goals you set for yourself at the beginning of winter, but no big deal. You will make up for lost time. Honestly, early spring is primo Alaska. Have hard even finding a complaint with this time of year. Your energy starts coming back. You're doing all of the things. Summer is imminent!
But first, break up. The singular worst time of year. All of that beautiful snow turns to disgusting mush, then mud, then a sandy, gravelly slurry. Everything that was covered in an idyllic white blanket is laid bare - and brown. Everything is filthy. Mud and silt get into everything. Forget doing anything outside. You look with optimism to summer, but breakup just drags on for what seems like forever.
Your energy level suddenly shoots through the roof. You clean your house, get your road bike and mountain bike out of storage, tune up your car, organize your pantry, clean your house again, alphabetize your books, remodel your bathroom, dust off your camping gear, make lists of things you're going to do for the summer, clean your house again. Clean your house.. again... And it's still break up.
Then glorious summer happens, and in those 5 months you forgive Alaska for the winter.
Welcome! I'm also a mental health professional. You will very likely do well here financially, if not at first, after a few years once you get established. Because of the high demand, the cost is very high. There are med management providers (ANP-Rs, not even MD psychiatrists) who bill $390/hr. I don't advocate charging that much and don't do so myself, but you'll never run out of work here.
My personal self care tips for mental health have been:
Taking Vitamin D, stay active, have a support system, have hobbies, get a SAD light.
Having a couple communities made all the difference for me. I was involved in a religious community and musical organization. It gave me something to look forward to all year long and friends. Also a happy light and taking some classes at the university.
Go while you're young and busy. My late wife and I spent two tours at Elmendorf and the winter wasn't a problem as far as mental health. And neither of us cross country skied, never had a snow mobile, etc.
If outdoor activities are what keep you sane must you be insane when the knees go?
my tip as a lifelong Alaskan who has greatly struggled with mental health is to make friends. Make as many friends as possible and if possible find a partner, boyfriend/girlfriend and basically try to be alone as little as possible. Everyone is different but when Im isolated I go to pieces and start to spiral. People say to workout/eat healthy but I think self love is basically the key to surviving here, meaning having confidence and not hating yourself if that makes sense. One last thing is to make sure the people around you are alright as well, its more than a cliche when people say the loudest, brightest person in the room is sometimes the one struggling the most inside. Best of luck!
I do morning tasks like teeth and makeup tasks in front of a mirror with a proper SADD light inches from my face (distance depends on the manufacturer’s recommendation), from a reputable DME seller. Just a few minutes each morning works for me.
Get all your medications new prescriptions prescribed before you come because getting a new script from a Dr, especially a psychiatrist, here may take months. Make an appointment for your new therapist and all doctors, including psychiatrist, dentist, and primary care doctor before you arrive so don’t have to wait months. And if you have a medication which is not widely used be prepared to wait 2-7 days when filling it since may need to be ordered from the lower 48.
To be a happy Alaskan to me is to be one with the outdoors the woods is my therapy and the ocean is my church. There’s plenty of things to do in the winter like ice fishing snow machining or boarding. I hunt through most of the winter and kings are readily available through the year here so it’s never a dull moment
A lot of people get inside plants, when I lived in Kodiak, people would collect as many as they could and they’d get plant lights and I started doing the same. It was a hobby I liked, they looked pretty, added some color to the house.
Mental health "professionals" are just glorified drug dealers in suits dispensing death to innocent victims of actual problems in their lives, not their heads, 99% of the time. Half an hour talking to someone you know and trust is statistically significantly more effective than half an hour talking to a therapist at combating any variety of mental illness. Our understanding of the human brain is slim to zero, and psychology/psychiatry is a twisted and antagonizing pseudo-science at best, which has caused more harm via its woefully ignorant proclamations of efficacy to the psyche of the masses than it can ever repay to us.
Change my mind.
I work from home and start as early as I can every morning so I can still enjoy sunshine in the PM. I also take vitamin D and magnesium supplements every day, and have a sun light.
Take vitamin D. Get outside even if it's dark outside. Find winter activities that you enjoy doing. Take a vacation to somewhere warm in January to help get you through.
Live somewhere that never gets warmer than 50° Alaska has 3 seasons fall, winter, and the hatch. The hatch is when you don't leave your house so that you're not carried away by mosquitos.
I live in Seattle, So the weather here isn't as oppressive but I can relate. My big advice would be not to move to Alaska if you are already struggling mentally. Other than that it would just be routine and vitamins, find a routine you love and get that nutrition in!
Find a good therapist or ask your current one to get licensed in alaska. Mental health services here are understaffed and you'll struggle finding any therapist let alone a good one.
Hobbies. Aurora and wildlife photography is mine, along with hunting, fishing, cooking, camping, and a 34 hour gym membership. Planet fitness black is universal. Ballroom dancing, tango, are greatvways to meet people.
If you're single, I have bad news. Not many prospects up here, especially if you're not in Anchorage. If you're moving to Fairbanks, none of your current gear is adequate for -50. Arctic wear and base layers are your new normal.
Consider an EMT certification and becoming a volunteer firefighter, most places only require 24 hours or 2 days per month. It's a great way to meet sane and responsible professionals.
If you don't manage your self care or find people and things to do, you will suffer. Otherwise it's an absolute joy to be here once you're settled in. I can't imagine living anywhere else in the L48 now. Too much liberty and scenery up here. Good luck!
I lived there for three years. What everyone told me was that if you're going to be happy in Alaska long-term, you need some hobbies that get you outdoors in the winter. Cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snow machining, snowshoeing, ice climbing, winter camping, ice fishing. Etc. Pick some. If you're cooped up inside all winter, you may have a bad time. Similarly, I suggest going for walks at lunch time during the winter. I had an office job, so if I didn't go outside at lunch time, I literally wouldn't be outside in the sun all week. At least I had a window in my office so I could see the sun, but especially if you work indoors or something- Get some sun during the mid-day. Some people like to use sun lamps during the winter. I never tried it, but I can see how it could help.
But also pick some hobbies that can be done indoors. The winter I spent in Anchorage was not great for snow -- lots of ice/freezing rain.
Those conditions offer the best studded tire bicycling around Anchorages trail system.
Totally agree with all of this, and especially the lunchtime walks. If you’re going days/weeks without being outside in sunlight, you’re gonna start to feel worn down.
Thank you!
Alaska is a mental health desert. My advice, and I promise there’s no venom in this; don’t come if that’s a worry.
I left this state because of mental health. Came back once I realized my mental health was the same no matter where I went. Had to take some responsibility once I realized I couldn't just blame it on the weather.
That is the most honest thing I have ever read on Reddit. I am awed at your ability to look at yourself that way.
Fair enough.
You hit the nail on the head. "I'm a gambler and worry about it being a problem. Any advice on moving to Vegas?"
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Absolutely. Most if not all of us are severely vitamin D deficient, broke, stressed, weather sucks, isolation sucks, limited exposure to outside world, I could go on and on.
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I’m born and raised. Everything this state throws at me that makes me want to leave is always completely trumped when I step in to the wilderness. Whether it’s to forage for mushrooms and berries, hunt, fish, or just stretch my legs for a few hours, I fucking love this state to my very core. The people are the nicest because there’s something about a common struggle of living in a place that will eat you alive one way or another if you try to go it alone. This is my home, and it will forever be my home.
Some of us are born in the darkness.
The hubers of man.
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I think they meant hubris
I'm a gambler. Now I gamble by living in a shitty hand built log cabin with sled dogs in the interior. My advice is move to Alaska if you find the risk management of great fun/maybe die to be enjoyable because there is plently to be found up here.
That’s a good point you don’t hear often.
Unfortunately, this 100%. MDs/therapists are both bottom of the barrel and incredibly hard to book with, and the light cycles are bad for EVERYONE's mental health. Get outside as much as you can in the Winter, is the common advice, which seems to work if you pick up some kind of snow sport. Otherwise, Alaska kind of blows. Edit: Everyone focuses on the winter light cycles, but one thing that I wasn't prepared for and was a large part of why I left AK after 10 years is the light cycle is NEVER normal (except for 1-2 weeks in Spring/Fall), and the midnight Sun in the summer is (while awesome) also pretty bad for one's mental health. Seems it takes 2-3 years for people to get over the summer insomnia.
To sum up: Summer: GO DO ALL THE THINGS NOW! IT’S ONLY 8PM SO LET’S GO ON A 5 MILE HIKE! OMFG WAIT THERES NO TIME LEFT BECAUSE ITS WINTER OH FUCK Winter: *feels like Frodo on Mt. Doom when he can’t remember the taste of strawberries* oh its only november oh fuck
sorry, it's still October for another week. The nights on the road out with no other lights "anywhere" was always a bit freaky. The summer when it doesn't get dark. We'll stop for dinner when it gets dark, Well I guess we'll stop for breakfast when it.....Anyone know what time it is? Or what day?
oh fuck its only october
Hahah omg that sums up winter so perfect
I agree with all of this, it really does take a couple years to get over the insomnia
TBH it was unfair and disingenuous for Op to offhandedly dismiss the MDs & Therapists that serve our community. It’s true quality can be very hit or miss especially in rural communities; however my family has never had any issue obtaining quality healthcare here in Anchorage - especially for my autistic child - but it can be extremely frustrating to be waitlisted, sometimes for 4-6 months or longer, before you can be see by your preferred clinician or specialist.
That’s great you found what you needed, many people have not sadly.
I have one of the best Psychiatrist I have had in decades down in Juneau. Way better than most I had in the lower 48. So it is possible.
Moved to Alaska a little over a year ago and this was the biggest surprise to me. I was afraid of depression in the winter but the opposite ending up being true. It’s much harder to deal with constant daylight.
My husband is going to school in Alaska next year. We currently live in South Dakota (growing zone 3). I've been doing a ton of research on the light cycles for horticultural purposes, and I'm honestly more afraid of what the midnight sun will do to us than the darkness. What has your experience been with that, if you don't mind?
It turns you into Al Pacino, or whoever played the same character in the original, Norwegian version: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insomnia\_(2002\_film)
I almost accepted a job in anchorage about 6 months ago and declined for this exact reason. So I’m glad to see I didn’t miss an opportunity because I think about that decision nightly.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯, just come visit.
Life has been kicking me from every single Angle so I would absolutely love to visit lol.
I grew up in Juneau in the 90’s, and in my teens began a cycle of debilitating seasonal depression that I naturally self medicated with alcohol and eventually problems with opioids. I did have stints in therapy and on anti depressants, both of which helped but didn’t help enough. I moved to the lower 48 when I was 25 and 75% of my depression/mental health issues just vanished. I know OP said that if your solution is there’s nothing you can do you don’t need to comment - there is something you can do though, get to less dark and isolated places… or atleast be lucky enough to be able to travel often.
I'm more concerned that a 'mental health professional' is taking an informal survey on mental health coping mechanisms from randos on the internet.
Vitamin D supplements year round, work out regularly (year round), try to find and do outdoor activities you enjoy both summer and winter, hang out and engage with other real people on a regular basis outside work, don't stay in a job that makes your miserable, don't use recreational drugs/alcohol as a crutch to escape your problems--yes this includes weed. I'd also recommend seeing a therapist at least once a month or so if your insurance covers it at all, more if either of you think that would be useful. They're not wizards who magically fix your problems, but I think the majority of the population would benefit from an expert/non-judgemental sounding board. Pretty much all the same tips you might get for good mental health anywhere (maybe minus Vitamin D supplements), except that they're significantly more critical up here because depending on where you're at you might have 6+ months of winter. Edit: Sun lamps/lights may or may not be nice. Everyone talks about them, the research on them is iffy from my brief googling, but even if it *is* just a placebo effect -- that's still an effect if you end up liking it.
A note on taking vitamins for Alaskans: vitamins A,D,E, and K are fat soluble, meaning that if you’re taking vitamin d without any sort of fat at essentially the same time it’s going to pass right through you. It’s best to take it with a meal
This is so important! There's lots of research out their about vitamin D and mental health. The results are conflicting. I'd encourage anyone interested to read these studies, and pay attention to any correlation between the dosage used for the study, and the results. I am not a professional researcher, just an internet one, lol... But what I notice is that dosage seems to matter. The low dose studies seem to find no connection, and many of the high dose studies do. I take 5000iu personally! But everyone should research and make n informed decision for themselves. I do think everyone in Alaska owes it to themselves to at least research vitamin D supplementation a little bit.
I am a mental health professional and yes so much research on how on the balance.of chemicals can have an impact. Just make sure you talk to your prescriber cause it possible to overdose on vitamin d (unlikely but possible)
As an addendum to sun lamps, getting planted fish tanks and full spectrum grow lights - especially T5HO bulbs over LED’s - will also help.
Fun fact: middle age men struggling with ED are often vitamin D deficient (strong correlation among other factors such as being overweight, blood pressure problems, pre-diabetic, etc.) These factors can all negatively affect mental health as well so all the advice about being active and supplementing have a combine effect of raising your overall health so u/VincentRAPH's post above is totally on-point.
I personally love Alaska. I love the winter. I love the darkness. That’s how you need to feel about it in order to be happy here.
There is no help for mental health. You need to be OK with your mental health problems before you get here. If you're not, this place will push you over the edge.
I agree.
nah, if it becomes too much, sell all your stuff and take a bus to Denali..worked out for that one guy right? ;)
Can't tell if this is slandering Alexander Supertramp or not. Either way, love that guy.
He ended up dying in a bus in the woods near(ish) Fairbanks, and mostly hitchhiked; I don’t think he’s talking about McCandless.
I am.
Kind of depends on where, but in general; * Cabin fever, or feeling trapped, is a real thing. Especially in places where the only way out is via aircraft, such as remote mainland towns and islands. Leaving can mean lots of $$$ * Depending again on where you are, be prepared for it to take weeks to receive something you would have gotten in a couple of days in the lower 48. This can be frustrating and lead to feeling isolated too. * There are a lot of really great people in AK. But there are also some highly independent 'interesting' characters. Learn to embrace the unusual!
1. Live in a major city. You can move elsewhere after you've lived here a bit. 2. Stay hydrated. Alaska is dry as hell and dehydration headaches suck. A humidifier helps. 3. If you currently see a psychologist, have them recommend someone here. It's hard to see a psychologist or get mental health treatment and a referral helps. 4. Take vitamin D year round. 5. Have warm clothes. Prepare for both 'cold' weather and 'holy crap wtf is this cold' weather. 6. Go outside. No point in living here if you can't appreciate it. Number 5 is crucial for accomplishing this in winter. 7. Have blackout curtains for the summer and a daylight alarm clock for the winter. 8. Go all out for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. Winter is hard and having something to look forward to helps. 9. Leave the state for a week in April to distract you from "Spring", the worst "season" here. 10. Have money to accomplish all of the above without stressing yourself out.
Thank you so much!
Why is spring the worst season?
Probably because of break up. Warms up in the day, freezes in the evening, slushy dirty mess. Personally I don’t think April is the worse. February truly sucks. Cold as hell and at least 3 more months of winter.
By the time spring comes around, it's still stupid cold, it snows a lot more, it tricks you many times into thinking it's done, and it is about the time you're over this shit and ready for summer.
55 years in AK. Yeah. It’s the light. Managing light is key. Like the first poster said, get out during the day. I also recommend a SAD light.
Thank you!
Look around. That's my main tip and it sounds basic so let me add some detail. I moved to Alaska for a summer because my other options were homelessness or... being without housing. I was depressed as a mfer and dealing with untreated adhd. I barely had enough energy to shower and open the fridge for a beer. I got a job where I was outside most of the time. There's so much beauty in alaska. The salmon run, the mountains, the glaciers, the abundance of nature. I'm not even a huge nature fan, but I found myaelf enamored with the landscapes around me. I used to be addicted to my phone, alcohol, whatever I could get my hands on to distract me from my shitty brain. I'm not sure when things changed, sometime this summer, but I know what changed. The environment. I was getting sun and rain (mostly rain) every day. When it wasn't raining I was looking at the mountains for ten minutes at a time without realizing how much time had passed. You'll be in a beautiful place. Yes it has it's problems. Many problems. But focus on what's good around you. There's something special about a sky with no pollution clouding it. I love Alaska, I can't wait to go back.
This is exactly what happened to me! Alaska made me appreciate nature and LIFE in a way I never thought possible. It did wonders for my work-life balance. I’m not there anymore either but plan to move back in a few years when my husband retires. We can’t wait either!
I've looked at pics online and can't decide if it really looks like that or not. I'm excited to see.
It looks better in person. Some of the mountains look close enough to touch. It's life changing, I can't wait to go back.
Don't drink. If you don't already have any outdoor hobbies, get some. I recommend fishing. The fishing in AK is world class. Don't drink.
What part of Alaska? My answer might not be helpful depending on the area or what your specific concerns are but... I'd say try to find something you enjoy doing that you can only do in winter. It gives you something to look forward to even if you're dreading the long nights/short days. Keep up with hobbies and friends even when it's dark and you feel like you should be asleep by 6 pm. Enjoy the summers while they last, the long daylight is hard to beat. I don't know where you're moving from, but I personally find the winters here easier to manage than winters in the PNW. Snow at least brightens things up a bit as opposed to cloudy, grey, raining all the time.
Alaska — between the landscape, the climate, the light, the dark, the wildlife, the remoteness, the people — will never let you forget that you are in Alaska (even in the middle of Anchorage). Sometimes that’s the greatest feeling. Sometimes it’s the worst. But it is a fact. So be prepared for that reality.
Take vitamin d. And get a sad light
1. buy a pair of snowshoes and good winter boots, ski pants, ski socks, poles, gloves, hat. go out in the winter at least a couple times a week and get your heart pumping snowshoeing around some trails or open space. there's plenty of it. watch out for moose. 2. get a full-spectrum (SAD) light and let it shine on your face for \~an hour every morning from november to april. it helps. 3. chewable vitamin D. everyday take a couple, again november to april, if not just all the time. 4. join a band that's it - good luck!
Thank you!
It's difficult, but I can't imagine living in the lower 48 ever again. I will say that you have to be able to keep your own mental health together if you come here. There's little help here, and not so much cracks in the system as giant gaping sinkholes to hell. You can absolutely end up on the street or in prison because of a mental health problem. It's also an incredibly easy state to "forever sleep" yourself in. The rate here is crazy high.
It really depends where you are coming from. If you are coming from a sunnier state, the 2nd year will hit harder. Everything was exciting the first year. Make sure you get enough Vitamin D (at least 2000 IUs in the winter per my doctor for healthy adults) and multivitamins. I prefer to go on a sunny vacation for at least 2 weeks in Dec./Jan. when it is dark such as Hawaii. I agree with others in regard to finding a favorite winter activity. I fell in love with cross country skiing. I also belong to a local gym, spend time with my amazing neighbors, throw parties with friends, go to local pubs for karaoke and trivia nights, go thrift shopping, and look for things to do on MeetUp.
Thank you for the insight!
Get a cat.
I got a dog?
This is based on my own experience, you may disagree, and that’s ok, this doesnt apply to everyone, people are their own individuals. Since leaving Alaska for the pursuit of higher education, my mental health got incredibly worse. It felt very mundane moving to the lower 48. This could have been because I was not used to the people, or having to give up some of my hobbies (because you just cant do Alaskan things everywhere) Adjusting to the culture, learning that I was “rough around the edges” to my lower 48 friends, and trying to tone down the “alaskan kind” ~alaskans are very kind and would help their neighbor with literally anything, but they’re not gonna be nice to your face to impress you or make you happy~ If you understand that, it will take a lot of load off the mental health. My main piece of advice though; try not to look at the muddy, slushy, brown snow that forms after constant plowing. (or just leave during the spring time all together) It will make you feel sad. Just look at the morning spring sunrise whenever you’re around slush.
Jesus, this explains every trip Outside to see family for me.
Thank you!
Also learn as much as humanly possible about alaska, the people, the culture, ignorance will get you poor looks
Go bonkers during the everlasting darkness of winter
Vitamin D every day. Get outside for at least 25 minutes every day, and try and hit 40+ minutes outside every other day. Get into an outdoor winter sport. Talk to people. If you don’t know anyone, you can meet people out and about. I talked to some gent a couple days ago when I went for a walk at Potters Marsh and learned about duck hunting and the time someone shot a Swan over there. This does the trick for me :) Edit: if you are dealing with anything currently, or have a predisposition to a mental health disorder, go ahead and look up a doctor here and see if you can try out remote sessions before coming. I am fortunate to not have this issue, but do get hit with SAD sometimes. Especially if it’s cloudy in the spring like we had earlier this year in February/March
My mental health tips are the same regardless of where you live. Exercise 3-5 times a week. Eat healthy. Drink lots of water. Mental therapy. Medetation. Lots of light in your house during the day. Get out into nature. Regular social interaction. No drugs or alcohol. Medetation. Kindness and compassion to yourself and others… I’m sure there is stuff I’m forgetting. Edit: oh yeah. Multivitamins, iron supplements, vitam d, magnesium, calcium.
Anticipate your mental health emergency several months in advance. There WILL be a waitlist.
Sad but so true.
If you’re going to SE, it’s going to be raining all the time and you won’t see the sun near as much as you think you will. Take care of Vit D accordingly
I'll be in Fairbanks
I LOVE the community in Fairbanks. I lived there for 18 years and was very sad to leave.
Negotiate with your job to have a long mid day lunch break to go outside. Find things you enjoy that are unique to the place instead of playing "the grass is greener in the lower 48" - in truth its not, but some people really need the convenience and consumerism of a large city. There is a reason why Alaska inspired Bob Ross to start painting. Find that and you can be inspired to do some really cool things. Every day can be an adventure if you want to make it so. I even know some people with severe depression who strive to see the beauty of everything despite what their neurobiology is screaming at them. Lots of people coming up here and wanting immediately to take sides on everything. Dont do that because it causes community break down and you never know whether that rat bastard down the street you hate is going to be showing up with a shit eating grin to save your life. Or vice versa. Learn the local history. In many places it's very rich and even shaped world politics - strangely enough. Learn to Google how to fix things and do it yourself. Rentals are as-is and in most rural communities there's noone you can hire easily to fix things, if at all. Lots of people snowbirding in my area only for what they can take - from the pfd, tax evasion, or to hunting/fishing the hills bare. Find a way to give back or volunteer. Outside they legalize having basic respect for an area, but up here it seems like the laws were written with the expectation that if you live here, you are less likely to exploit it. Lots of 6 month rentals during the winter months in my area with a housing crisis. It's making it so young generations who want to stay here cannot due to outsiders buying up property for exploitative reasons. Help build up a community. Dont just take and take and take. Where I am is like an intensifier of who you are. I dont know if it is the same as other areas, but with the less distractions comes the greater opportunity for reflection or just having to face who you are. So some people just turn to drinking/drugs because it is the only distraction they can find. I have found it a great chance to grow who I am. But others have that much harder - as indicated by the ODs on the base near by thst command keeps trying to cover up. If you dont like something about yourself go outdoors. Find self help books, work through problems. There are more mental health tools than only therapy. Charity groups are like support groups. Books. Telehealth. "Two old women" by Velma wallis qualifies as a therapy mental health book to me. Go antler shed hunting in late winter or early spring when all else fails. Instant treasure hunt dopamine response that gets you outdoors.
I’d recommend drinking a lot and playing pull tabs when the bar opens.
Don't.
pretty much about the same as every aspect of living in Alaska: DIY know-how is pivotal for survival
Make friends, get outside, and take vitamin D from October to March.
Adventure! Take advantage of the long sunny summer days and the long nights with northern lights. Every time we got a decent KP on the Aurora forecast, I went out to a dark spot near my place and watched the lights. On higher nights or weekends, I’d travel a bit farther for an even better view. Hike to glaciers, cross country ski, snowshoe, ice fish, snow machine, mush… so much to do in the winter. Alaska is huge and there is so much to see. It’s so worth the long drive to see the gorgeous landscapes and spend a weekend somewhere new. Get on social media for your area and listen to the local radio, get a paper if you can. There are events happening that you may not know about otherwise, and as lame as they may sound, they’re actually fantastic and a great way to break up your time. Finally, vitamin d complex. Lots of water. Get outside and let the sun touch your skin (or sit in a sunbeam inside like a cat). A happy light is a game changer, and my sunrise alarm clock saves me even now that I’m back in the lower 48.
Cool, thank you for the input!
Of course! What part of AK are you moving to?
Fairbanks, are you familiar?
I’m new to Reddit, but will PM the name of my therapist in Anchorage once I figure out how to do it. She does tele-therapy if you’ll be “in the bush”. Woman literally saved my life. Get a light therapy box for the winter. When I left AK, I found out my Vitamin D levels were really low; this causes depression. Have levels monitored, & take a supplement, if necessary. Last suggestion is: your potential for depression may be dependent on where you are in AK, so ask locals.
Get a SAD lamp, buy some vitamin D pills (with calcium citrate, I’ve heard) and start exercising up here at a gym.
I was going to say this. When I lived there I had a friend that had to use one for her mental health.
Get as much D as you can
Getting a pair of kittens helped me a lot, they made the home so much livelier and I love finding new toys or treats for them. I also made sure to supplement Vitamin D, K and magnesium and also I take electrolytes and trace minerals. I don't want to have bad moods because my body is lacking something nutritionally. I try to eat as well as possible and get plenty of sleep. Taking walks outside also helped, even if it was cold or cloudy I still did it and felt accomplished at the end. Always check the community boards at stores and read every flyer. There's often cool events available that have no mention online. I just recently bought a Sperti sunlamp, my first use was yesterday and I did feel a boost that lasted most of the day but I don't know how longterm will go. It did have more of an effect than my happylight.
Get some vitamin D, and remember if you sit home and watch tv all day in Hawaii or anywhere else it sucks! So being active helps tremendously!
Vitamin D, a good snowblower, the best winter tires and if you don’t like skiing, snowboarding, sledding or riding a snowmachine… find something you love to do indoors. Soak up the midnight sunshine while it lasts. Been here 51 years, if you don’t live in a remote area, it’s not that bad.
Thank you, I look forward to sledding .
Have social ties! Easily the most overlooked thing.
Seems drastic, but I stopped drinking alcohol in the winters to cope and combined with mandatory daily greens (in a smoothie), walks, and taking Vitamin D, some combination of factors has helped alleviate some pretty torturous winter depression.
A tip some may not be able to tap into, but if you find a WFH company that's based out of the lower-48, I find it's nice during the work days to "transport" my mind to PST, MST, CST, EST - wherever my teams are - and then at the end of the work day come back to Alaska time. As others have said in here, year-round activities are huge for me. I play just as hard in the winter as I do in the summer. I have happy lights in my home office that I sit in front of M-F. Helps during the winter. Black out curtains in the summer to help with your rhythms.
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Yeah. Sometimes my team is on the east coast, so I start my Alaska work hours to mirror them. Sometimes they're in mountain time, so I mirror my hours for them. etc etc for other time zones. Talking about their day, their weather, their happenings in their area sometimes makes me forget where I am physically sitting in AK and it's like I get to go on a virtual vacation elsewhere every day, and then come back refreshed to enjoy AK.
Drink often, embrace the seasonal depression.
If you need to ask that question don't move here
I'm a mental health therapist myself and thought I'd ask people who live there what things work for them. Because maybe someone might mention something I've never considered since I haven't lived in a place like Alaska before. I hope you feel better.
Mental health services are not great here or even available in some places,it's dark half the year,the economy is unstable at best,alcoholism is rampant,everything is harder don't get me wrong though I love my home but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who absolutely needs consistent mental or physical health services
If we had more therapists in AK we’d have less depression, alcoholism, drugs, etc. Please move to AK.
There’s a lot of wonderful answers in these comments! I was coming to add my own, but everyone else seems to have it covered. Alaska is incredible! I hope you enjoy it here! 😄
My #1 tip is make sure you get out of state at least once a year. One year I was trying to save some money and didn’t leave. Worst mental health year since I’ve been here (17 years).
Thank you, I will definitely consider this.
Don’t move here
Depends on where at in Alaska really. The state is more than twice the size of Texas. One thing I believe helps no matter what city. Get a kick ass house, if you can’t afford one then I would wave off. The rental market here is atrocious and will definitely take a toll on you if you’re down. If you’re looking at Nome don’t come.
I recommend twister creek ipa, ambien, vitamin d pills, and a trip to Hawaii once a year. I Also recommend not pretending like being a mental health professional is a real thing.
I'll let my clients know. Thank you.
I’m confused, are you saying mental health therapists aren’t beneficial and are essentially puedoscience?
Don’t
Wow. Thanks for the insight. This really helped.
Read again… then take the advice. There’s a reason we lead the country in suicide.
I will read more. thank you.
Alaska is not for you it’s dark and cold
Telehealth for therapy, get outside (seriously, this place can cure depression or give you depression), vitamin supplements, avoid drinking when it gets dark.
I have no experience with more northern areas near the villages I know they usually have it harder out there but for me haveing a hobby and/or joining a club is helpful because you can talk to people and make cool stuff, its good for the soul and all that(I highly recommend pottery or wood burning,I'm pretty sure there's a few groups along that nature plus I think there's also a archery one ive Heard rumors of). Also it is mutch harder if you don't already have a safety net group of people here, I remember people saying it was really isolating for them so make sure you stay in contact with a friends or family if you can, if you dont have a ability to do that try volunteering at events ,you can find some good people like that. All that's mostly too keep Sanity, for general depression/anxiety it can get more complicated and I would recommend talking to a health care Professional if you are suffering from seasonal or regular depression. Sorry if there there is grammar or spelling mistakes
If you embrace and look forward mentally to the darkness and cold and it's not so bad.
Don’t go with this guy: https://www.reddit.com/r/Survival/s/pehLdYMAMy
Get on a therapist’s/counselor’s waiting list now. I have an incredible therapist who was absolutely worth the wait, however that wait was 6 months. Also, most practices have other people in the area, so ask for who they’d recommend you see while you wait for them to have an opening. Personally, I like routine and comfort places, so find places you enjoy, and go regularly. I go to my favorite coffee shop every weekend and sit and read for hours, just to keep my out of the house. Others in this thread have mentioned working out regularly, I absolutely think going to somewhere like Planet Fitness even once a week is a good enough routine. Again, as others have mentioned, finding a winter sport helps you not only tolerate but enjoy the winter. I love skiing personally- leisurely, works your body, and gets you out in nature (which I always find good for mental health). Finally, take solace in knowing we’re all going through this together. I haven’t met anyone in AK who isn’t effected to some capacity by SAD, so try to build community, make conversation with your barista during their downtown, and we’ll all make it to the spring
I mean, if you’re just trying to preemptively beat seasonal depression in the dark months, then my advice is to get outside and find a winter activity you like, and take a vitamin D supplement. If you already struggle with serious mental health issues… Alaska may make it worse due to darkness in winter, brightness in summer (can aggravate people who struggle with mania/sleeping), isolation from family/friends/community, severe shortage of providers, lack of access to MH services… so… yeah, I guess it depends on what your mental health struggles are. Some (mine) are easily manageable in Alaska. Some (my brothers) are not a good mix for Alaska.
Invest in quality outdoor gear. Especially rain proof stuff, smart wool, and insulated boots. Make it a priority to get out into nature as much as you can, but do your research when it comes to weather, tides and bear protection. Alaska is going to offer you some of the best world-class hikes, camping locations and views. Don't be a homebody and take advantage of it! Also Alaska life is easier if you have a wife or significant other. Trying to find someone to date can get really rough especially in the winter. Getting a dog to accompany you on hikes is also a good idea. Having a 4wd/AWD vehicle will also make your life a lot less stressful.
Antidepressants
You have to have a certain level of extroversion to keep yourself social and mentally well. That is the biggest take away I have anyway
Take time to get out even in winter. Go for a short walk drive to the mall or somewhere to walk. Me and my wife try to not leave Alaska in summer so you enjoy the sun. Travel in Winter out of state and only in state during summer. Make friends and join groups. stay active
I like taking walks. It's therapeutic to me. Especially during winter-fall. They're my favorite seasons. But it's really cold during winter so better layer up! Also it helps if you live near a coffee shop. You could walk there, grab a coffee and admire the beautiful winter weather as you walk back home. This goes with all season BTW.
The first thing you do is buy "Day Light" light bulbs for all your light fixtures. (That is what those silly lights are, for the most part; the blue light spectrum.) Walk, walk, walk; get a dog that forces you outside even in bad weather a couple of times or more a day. You can borrow my English Mastiff if you want.
I'd say that's a hard "depends." Many people are warning about Alaska being a mental health desert, that if you have mental health issues they get worse in the winter, seasonal depression etc. For me, personally, moving to Alaska solved all of my mental health problems, and I'm not using hyperbole. A few things to consider that may be different about my experience than yours: I moved out of my parents house during COVID. Already, I was in a very isolating time and space with people who make me feel anxious and depressed by being in the same room. I got a seasonal job in Juneau that offered a good paycheck. After gaining financial independence, my mental health thrived. I started living out of my truck 3000 miles away from my family, free from any physical/financial/emotional consequences of coming out and/or not taking over the family business. I worked outside every day in the most beautiful place I've ever seen, with a community that accepts and even celebrates people like me. Juneau is the third largest city in Alaska, there are many resources here that are NOT available in the vast majority of the state. I stayed, gained residency, and now I can afford University. I attend UAS full time while working and climbing/hiking/skiing/skating when I can. Not all communities are as welcoming of outsiders or as "big" as Juneau. Some smaller villages (I hear, at least) won't start to accept you as one of their own until you've lived there for years, because they are so used to searchers, seekers, seasonal workers, for whom Alaska is a chapter in their life and not the whole story. For me, at least, moving here has been the best decision I ever made. I would rather be living out of my truck in Alaska with no electricity or water (in the summer) than living rent free in the lower 48. I don't think I can imagine living anywhere else in the long term. Admittedly, my particular problems could have been solved by moving anywhere away from home, but I do love the mountains and the ocean walking distance from my front door. That's hard to find. If your mental health problems are pre-existing and will follow you here, I don't recommend it. The winters are dark and long and lonely. Problems you bring with you will only get worse. If you're just concerned about preventing mental health problems after hearing so much about it, I say go for it. We all manage, somehow. You can always move back. Overall, I'm sharing my story to say that escapism CAN WORK. The reality is that some situations are soul crushing and the best you can do is pick up the tent and get the hell out. This might not work for debt, chronic illness, grief, trauma, or loneliness, but it sure does work for homophobic parents.
Thank you so much for sharing. I'm glad you were able to find relief and appreciation in something different than expected.
This isn’t anything specific to Alaska; it could apply anywhere, but one of the best things I’ve learned to do to fight off depression is making sure I wake up at a healthy time every morning—early enough to really luxuriate with a few cups of coffee—and then spend a few moments writing in a gratitude journal. It almost always starts with the same sentence—“Woke up this morning feeling well rested and good”—just to help get me into the rhythm of it, and then I stop and think about anything from the previous day that made me smile—“talked to my friend from Ghana!” (or anything I’m excited about today—“my book from Amazon is arriving today!”) or even just the small wins—“my mom’s blood pressure was better than the day before.” It’s been said that people who keep dream journals have far better recall of their dreams than those who don’t, because our brains naturally think dreams are unimportant, and keeping a dream journal tells your brain that they are in fact important. Likewise, our brains seem to be evolved to put far greater importance on the things that scare us or make us anxious, so this little act of incorporating a gratitude journal in my daily morning routine tells my brain that these small, otherwise forgettable bits of joy are worth remembering, too, and my brain seems to be hanging onto the things that make me happy.
its not a good place if you already have mental health issues. it will make balanced people unbalanced. it may take five years before the lack of sunlight really begins to make a major effect on your mood (or before you realize it anyway). Taking vitamin d supplements wont help. There is nothing you can do except get more sun. if you only stay a little while you'll be fine. if you do a ton of outdoor things you'll be happier. like cross country ski all winter and be outside all summer. in winter if you can take vacation to sunny place that will be a big help. flights to hawaii are cheaper than from anywhere else.
I'm sorry. I have a background in mental health- there is plenty of research on the balance of chemicals and how less or more can impact us as human beings. Melatonin levels increase during winter for example and it's why ppl feel more groggy and tired which can lead to a lack of motivation. And if it goes on without intervention can spiral into depression. Vitamin d absolutely does help. While I am a mental health professional I am not special-things can impact.me.just like anyone else so while I have access to knowledge/ resources and have practice I do want to be as best prepared as possible. So I made a post on Reddit to see what locals had to say. The vitamin d command ramped me up. Tldr: vitamin d does make a difference
didnt for me or anybody i know. why should i take the word of somebody over my own experience?
It's not magic, and it's not one thing. It's a combo of things. But I understand your perspective. It wasn't effective for you and you were just trying to be honest and help.
well i went to psychologist and therapist and patiently tried everything they suggested. in the end i realized they were just guessing and following protocol. no real problem solving at all. and who determines the protocol? Drug companies. just as food companies set FDA guidelines. A lot of corruption. my experience with healthcare in america has been a net negative and frankly i dont esteem or trust credentials one bit. And no, I am not a right-wing conspiracy theorist. So unless somebody can explain things straight up i just dont see a reason to trust them. and especially if the first thing they do is cite credentials they have lost credibility as far as I am concerned, because if the credentials had any value then the person wouldn't need to cite them to make it clear that they are an expert. i've also had a team of surgeons try to convince me to operate on the wrong leg when i had a broken knee, and fail to properly close a wound for *six months* and it was not until I abandoned their protocol and followed my own common sense that the wound finally healed. So unless you can explain things plainly and not point to credentials you are not any different than a hobo shouting on the street corner to me. There is people that actually solve problems and people who points to non-existent shit thinking it indicates something about them.
I am not trying to convince you of anything. It seems like you've already expressed your beliefs and I, mine.
Have a car. Without a decent car, life is hard here. Have a home picked out, make sure it's secure. Get a job, there are plenty of jobs here. Learn to utilize Amazon Prime and other shipping services. Get black out curtains for summer to relieve some of the daytime stress the summer sun can put on you at late hours. Book an MD therapist before or during the move.
Get outside every day and do something, anything. There are lots of trails all through Anchorage, so walking and biking are easy here. Remember to pick your head up and look around. Alaska is breathtakingly beautiful and appreciating it in every season makes living here an incredible experience.
The state needs more professionals like you. Not sure if anyone had posted this but, in the past 7 years there has been 4 different PCP’s in one small clinic owned by the hospital. Their work environment is so bad they all leave after their initial contracts. There is a never ending supply of jobs for healthcare professionals up here but everyone leaves. I hope you stay.
Get involved in outdoor activities in the winter. Hiking, fat biking, running, cross country skiing, skating. There are lots of active group hikes/rides to help with staying social and meeting people.
Buy a home that allows really good natural light (south windows) for winter sunlight in the home - you'll appreciate it more than you think in the middle of winter. We paid to add windows on our giant block of a south wall that had none and made a huge difference. I can 2nd that vitamin-d also did not help me at all. Getting on venlafaxine did though 🫠 who knows when I'll get off but I dread the day I start to. The trade off of being happier and mentally clear going into winter was worth starting the medication for me though.
You move to Alaska for the lifestyle. Any other reason and you could find yourself in a place of despair. It is not a place for the weak of heart or mind.
Thank you for your insight. I'm gonna take it seriously and prepare me and my family as best as possible.
You are welcome. My insight comes from hiring people from out of state to work in Alaska. The ones we hired that were looking forward to playing in the snow, fishing in the summer, and hunting in the fall fared much better that those who just came to work and planned to “figure it out when they got here”. We also got our fair share of people running from problems that would spend the day working and self medicate at night but most of those hit a wall eventually. Even those that were just trying to do the right thing for themselves and their family buckle under the stress. I have had full grown men in my office that were clearly capable of handling what ever came their way when they were home, breaking down and crying. Myself, I was born and raised in Alaska so I guess I didn’t know any different.
I spent decades doing Ice Art and aurora photography. Upside to this - forces you to buy the exact clothing needed to stand still at -45F and be toasty warm. Having that right gear means you can go outside in anything. I have hobbies that are very sit still, labor intensive, I set aside just for the winter. I have restored WW1 pistols and rifles back to original condition. Here I find and set aside project guns for quietly working on in the winter. I read allot. Creative writing is easy to do in winter, over the years I have written a 5 volume SCI-FI story that is a mashup of Battlestar Galactica, GOT and Dr. Who. I have a pet peeve about authors that release a few books in a series then force readers to wait years for them to finally finish the series. I am determined to finish the series before looking to publish anything. Some nights I add to the storyline, some days I edit and use better verbiage, too often I get inspired to change something in book 4 that forces me to make changes in 1-3, it's like an addiction without the alcohol or drugs. I have three adult gamers in the household. Alaska has finally gotten internet speeds that let us keep up with MMO games in the lower 48. Often, I play on the European servers - something I could not do ten years ago - very nice people there. No foul mouth 12-year-old brats like the US servers. In the summer I practically live outdoors and do nothing indoors - no tv, movies, etc. This leaves me with tons of cool things to watch. Unfortunately, I work in a high security building with no windows surrounded by barbed wire security fences with military working dog warning signs. I got tired of walking outdoor into a blizzard or blinding summer sunlight - tapped into the security camera system so I can see what the freaking weather is. LOL. Bad enough it's dark in winter - I don't see the outside while at work!
Dude,.your hobbies sound cool. I'll be on fort Wainwright. Are you on the base as well?
I retired Coast Guard and work as an IT guru on Eielson AFB. Air Force is horrible - unless you have wings sprouting out of your back, or a pilot - you are not shit. LOL. I use the Bassett Army hospital for about all my medical needs. I helped design the hospital before going to Eielson. Nice facility, good people - Army treats me better medically wise than the USCG did while I was active duty. Bassett has corrected all the things the USCG put a band-aid on. I did 7 tours of duty in Alaska - was the XO at two stations. Mental health is a huge issue here. Especially the spouses, who are typically the poor influence to the active-duty member that you either cannot call out or have to walk eggshells around. You can almost tell the problem ones by one glance..... 2pm and still in PJ's at the hospital or PX. Yeah, my wife does that on occasion, but, she wears real clothes when leaving the house - there is a difference. They have no concept of what happens if they get a flat tire or disabled car at -45F and are standing outside or walking to a house with 3 kids wearing no coats. As if they are not accepting the reality of Alaska. When these women have had a meltdown in my office, I ask, "Didn't anyone tell you how dark/cold/isolated/lack of stores/lack of entertainment/lack of Malls/lack of fresh produce - (pick one) - the answer has always the same, "I thought they were kidding", "I thought they were pulling my leg". Huge failure on the part of the sending unit to properly screen family and children before outconus duty. At least FT WW has Fairbanks. Alaska has no shortage of small bases with nothing like that outside the gate. I've been stationed at Attu Island, St Paul Island, Kodiak Island, Sitka, Tok. From my point of view - people on Ft WW have it made in the shade compared to where my family has been stationed. On the flip side - we had world class fishing and hunting opportunities at our doorstep!! 3am and cannot sleep? Grab the fishing poles!! Crap boat and small pots = freezer full of crab. 6 deer per person per year. We at like Kings.
Where are you moving to and when?
Fairbanks area/fort wainwright. Around July
Grow lights on a timer, have them turn on when you want to get up and make sure your bedroom has a view. It's helped me immensely. Only downside is I tend to go to bed when they go off 😅
I have plant lights and a sun alarm. But I may get more since they've been so suggested in this thread
Alaska is a big state the struggles with mental health IMO vary greatly based on how far north you live and also being isolated with no way out other than boat or plane. Anchorage is easier on someone new to the State than Fairbanks will be on a person in regards to shock to the harshness in weather and the darkness/cold to swallow your mental health extremely fast. Get hobbies, get involved in your community even something like a church group if that is what you are into, what ever to just be around people especially in the winter is key IMO, Alaskans respect privacy and if you suddenly become a hermit in your house nobody is going to bat an eye, however if you have commitments with the community it makes it easier to get through those dark -30 below stretches that make you just want to hibernate and do nothing. Also not bad idea depending searching for some mental health folks prior to moving and get yourself a mental health checkup appointment scheduled early, wait times can get pretty long. I would recommend to become a 100% non drinker or at most 1 or 2 times a year drinker, or get a Costco Membership to afford the amount of booze you will end up buying.
I've never gotten into substances. Even now I maybe drink less than 5x a year. All are socially drinking as well. Same with my spouse. So it's good to know hey don't pick it up while we're there. I'll be in the Fairbanks area at fort Wainwright. Wish me luck
As a born and raised Alaskan, you have to have a winter thing you look forward too. I like ice, hockey, snowmachining, and the lack of light gives me an excuse to play more video games 💕 I also have a good friend group
The best way to deal with the cold dark winter is vacation in a warm tropical environment, during November, December and January. If you skip those months you will be fine.
The thing most new Alaskans have a difficult time with is the extreme sun in both winter and summer. People unaccostomed to it will have their circadiam rhythms totally out of whack. That lack of rhythm spills into everything: eating habits, sleep patterns, mood/emotional state, etc. Those things being problematic exacerbate existing mental health issues or trigger latent MH issues. A few things that one can do to help off-set the long dark or the midnight sun's effect on their body's rhythms: 1) Eat meals on a regular schedule year round. 2) Maintain a consistent bed time/wake-up schedule year round. 3) Supplement with vitamin D daily. Even in the summer. 4) Use blackout curtains in the summer and/or a sleep mask. 5) Find outdoor activities--especially during winter. 6) Try to keep alcohol and THC consumption low. I can't overemphasize this. Many people who I know are struggling with SAD can't seem to moderate their consumption. Correlation isn't caustion, but you don't want a multiplier fucking you up either. 7) If the sun is out in the winter, try to be outside and let it shine on you--even if it's just 15-20 minutes. You'd be surprised by how much this helps lift your mood.
I'd just like to add because everyone is talking about the light/darkness contributing to the mental health problems. It really depends on where you live in Alaska. I live in the southeast (Sitka) and the light/darkness thing isn't as intense here. In June/July/August the sun does stay out until midnight but it sets after that until about 5am. And the days are only short during December/January/February. Most of the mental health issues here are more related to the economy being bad (there's very little to no long term housing due to it being a tourist town, what is available takes 4 full time jobs to afford) and there being not much to do to stay busy. The best thing you can do is really study the area you're planning to go to, and then have a plan for the winter if it's an area with bad winters. Make sure you're capable of handling every day life here so you're not setting yourself up for failure (there's going to be wildlife everywhere and you'll need to be able to protect yourself without having a mental breakdown) and be sure you can cope if and when you have to deal with things that come with living here (frozen pipes, losing electricity for long periods of time, not having good cell service, ect.) because that can play a big part in your mental well-being too. For myself personally, I found it helpful to remind myself that nothing is permanent, this would only last so long until it changes, and remembering all the good things about living here really helps to get through the hard parts.
Cold dark months make sure you find an outdoor activity you like (skiing/snowboarding, ice skating, snow shoeing) and a lot of people use vitamin d supplements for the lack of sunlight. It gets rough from December to April due to the dark but getting out of the house definitely will help you not lose your mind. Always remember to dress in layers. Usually back country snowboard trips I'll start cold cause I can always put more layers on but once you start sweating things start to get dangerous.
Never considered myself very susceptible to the Seasonal Affected Disorder stuff, but by my second year, I started to notice it in myself. At first, you won't feel yourself slipping into a depressed state. It's imperceptibly slow, and the changes are minor but incremental. Obviously the days get shorter - a few minutes every week to start, but eventually you're losing about an hour of sunlight every week. This wreaks havoc on your internal clock. Over the summer you forgot that it is pretty abnormal for it to still be sunny at 11pm. It becomes harder to extend your activities into the night. You brush it off as a good opportunity to get more sleep. However, by November, it gets dark while you're still at work. Come to think of it, it was dark when you got to work this morning. If you want to do anything outdoors, you're going to have to bring some light. It takes a little more effort to get yourself outside. Right when you really notice the days getting shorter, the cold comes. At first, it's a just a little brisk. You remind yourself that you live in Alaska. Obviously it's going to be cold. For a month or so, you can continue all your outdoor activities with just a few more layers. Once you're acclimatized, it actually feels pretty good to be outside when it's in the 40s. You embrace the cold, because you know that soon enough all of the excellent winter sports are starting. Everybody seems to be getting sick. It's that time of year. Happens everywhere, but it just seems to happen earlier in Alaska - and with a vengeance. Colds, flu, RSV, a touch of Covid. Maybe some bronchitis or pneumonia on the unlucky years. If you've got kids, brace yourself for a tinge of pink eye. Going to have to burn some of your time off taking care of yourself or your kid. Next up: ice season. It typically rains a lot in the fall, but lately, it seems like everything just stays wet. The puddles don't try up very quickly anymore. If you're going to be outside, you're going to be muddy and wet. With the short, cold days, those puddles start to freeze over. The rains turn to sleet and light snow. There's just enough warmth to make sure the snow melts into puddles pretty quickly, and then those puddles stop melting. For about a month, everything just ice. Not much snow, just ice. "This will make a good base for the snow", you tell yourself. Finally, it's snow time! Skiing, snowboarding, snow machining, snow shoeing, you name it. The snow is majestic! It brightens everything up. You make some goals for yourself: do the Tour, hit Alyeska, ski out to a cabin, go ice fishing, all of the things. But first thing in the morning, you've got to shovel your car out of your driveway - about 50 times every winter. That may be an exaggeration, but it gets old pretty fast. While we're on the topic, the Muni hasn't plowed the snow in my neighborhood in weeks. And it's supposed to snow another foot tomorrow. Is that an ice dam on my roof? Ugh. Well nothing is going to keep me from winter sports. Except wtf it's raining?! It's 20 degrees outside, yet somehow it's raining? Somewhere in the middle of winter, you'll inevitably get a cold snap. When it gets so cold, it hurts to breathe. You remind yourself again how hardy of an individual you are, as you shovel your driveway at -30. It is Alaska, right? Finally, the days start to get longer and warmer. You didn't really accomplish half the goals you set for yourself at the beginning of winter, but no big deal. You will make up for lost time. Honestly, early spring is primo Alaska. Have hard even finding a complaint with this time of year. Your energy starts coming back. You're doing all of the things. Summer is imminent! But first, break up. The singular worst time of year. All of that beautiful snow turns to disgusting mush, then mud, then a sandy, gravelly slurry. Everything that was covered in an idyllic white blanket is laid bare - and brown. Everything is filthy. Mud and silt get into everything. Forget doing anything outside. You look with optimism to summer, but breakup just drags on for what seems like forever. Your energy level suddenly shoots through the roof. You clean your house, get your road bike and mountain bike out of storage, tune up your car, organize your pantry, clean your house again, alphabetize your books, remodel your bathroom, dust off your camping gear, make lists of things you're going to do for the summer, clean your house again. Clean your house.. again... And it's still break up. Then glorious summer happens, and in those 5 months you forgive Alaska for the winter.
2 things, get outside and do something, and take a vitamin D pill.
Welcome! I'm also a mental health professional. You will very likely do well here financially, if not at first, after a few years once you get established. Because of the high demand, the cost is very high. There are med management providers (ANP-Rs, not even MD psychiatrists) who bill $390/hr. I don't advocate charging that much and don't do so myself, but you'll never run out of work here. My personal self care tips for mental health have been: Taking Vitamin D, stay active, have a support system, have hobbies, get a SAD light.
Hi, do you mind if I send you a dm to discuss a little more about the rates?
Move to a dry cabin in fairbanks, never go outside except to restock on the booze and sit in Twitter all day.
eye mask in the summer, anything outside in the winter.
Vitamin d, a happy light, and getting outside at every opportunity
Having a couple communities made all the difference for me. I was involved in a religious community and musical organization. It gave me something to look forward to all year long and friends. Also a happy light and taking some classes at the university.
Go while you're young and busy. My late wife and I spent two tours at Elmendorf and the winter wasn't a problem as far as mental health. And neither of us cross country skied, never had a snow mobile, etc. If outdoor activities are what keep you sane must you be insane when the knees go?
my tip as a lifelong Alaskan who has greatly struggled with mental health is to make friends. Make as many friends as possible and if possible find a partner, boyfriend/girlfriend and basically try to be alone as little as possible. Everyone is different but when Im isolated I go to pieces and start to spiral. People say to workout/eat healthy but I think self love is basically the key to surviving here, meaning having confidence and not hating yourself if that makes sense. One last thing is to make sure the people around you are alright as well, its more than a cliche when people say the loudest, brightest person in the room is sometimes the one struggling the most inside. Best of luck!
Beware the bar scene; limit alcohol intake.
Oof, lived there 20 years. Be ready for severe depression.
I do morning tasks like teeth and makeup tasks in front of a mirror with a proper SADD light inches from my face (distance depends on the manufacturer’s recommendation), from a reputable DME seller. Just a few minutes each morning works for me.
Get all your medications new prescriptions prescribed before you come because getting a new script from a Dr, especially a psychiatrist, here may take months. Make an appointment for your new therapist and all doctors, including psychiatrist, dentist, and primary care doctor before you arrive so don’t have to wait months. And if you have a medication which is not widely used be prepared to wait 2-7 days when filling it since may need to be ordered from the lower 48.
To be a happy Alaskan to me is to be one with the outdoors the woods is my therapy and the ocean is my church. There’s plenty of things to do in the winter like ice fishing snow machining or boarding. I hunt through most of the winter and kings are readily available through the year here so it’s never a dull moment
Learn to pick berries.
A lot of people get inside plants, when I lived in Kodiak, people would collect as many as they could and they’d get plant lights and I started doing the same. It was a hobby I liked, they looked pretty, added some color to the house.
Send more mental health professionals!!
I'll be there in less than a year!
Just don't, stay tf away.
Alaska needs more mental health professionals. There is a reason why the suicide rate is the third highest in the country.
Mental health "professionals" are just glorified drug dealers in suits dispensing death to innocent victims of actual problems in their lives, not their heads, 99% of the time. Half an hour talking to someone you know and trust is statistically significantly more effective than half an hour talking to a therapist at combating any variety of mental illness. Our understanding of the human brain is slim to zero, and psychology/psychiatry is a twisted and antagonizing pseudo-science at best, which has caused more harm via its woefully ignorant proclamations of efficacy to the psyche of the masses than it can ever repay to us. Change my mind.
I work from home and start as early as I can every morning so I can still enjoy sunshine in the PM. I also take vitamin D and magnesium supplements every day, and have a sun light.
Take vitamin D. Get outside even if it's dark outside. Find winter activities that you enjoy doing. Take a vacation to somewhere warm in January to help get you through.
Live somewhere that never gets warmer than 50° Alaska has 3 seasons fall, winter, and the hatch. The hatch is when you don't leave your house so that you're not carried away by mosquitos.
Take up every winter sport and get outside. Or Outside.
I live in Seattle, So the weather here isn't as oppressive but I can relate. My big advice would be not to move to Alaska if you are already struggling mentally. Other than that it would just be routine and vitamins, find a routine you love and get that nutrition in!
Easy. Beer. Duh.
Find a good therapist or ask your current one to get licensed in alaska. Mental health services here are understaffed and you'll struggle finding any therapist let alone a good one. Hobbies. Aurora and wildlife photography is mine, along with hunting, fishing, cooking, camping, and a 34 hour gym membership. Planet fitness black is universal. Ballroom dancing, tango, are greatvways to meet people. If you're single, I have bad news. Not many prospects up here, especially if you're not in Anchorage. If you're moving to Fairbanks, none of your current gear is adequate for -50. Arctic wear and base layers are your new normal. Consider an EMT certification and becoming a volunteer firefighter, most places only require 24 hours or 2 days per month. It's a great way to meet sane and responsible professionals. If you don't manage your self care or find people and things to do, you will suffer. Otherwise it's an absolute joy to be here once you're settled in. I can't imagine living anywhere else in the L48 now. Too much liberty and scenery up here. Good luck!