Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is more than just a medical condition—it’s part of the human experience that has been understood and approached differently across cultures. From the cosy warmth of hygge in Scandinavia to the purposeful reflection of ikigai in Japan, cultural traditions offer wisdom on how to embrace the darker months with self-care, meaning, and connection.

By reframing our perspective and drawing from both science and cultural practices, we can transform seasonal sadness into an opportunity for rest, creativity, and community.

Recent Five X More report highlights alarming disparities in maternal healthcare for Black women in England, revealing deep-rooted systemic issues that urgently need addressing. At Nafsiyat, we see the profound impact these disparities have on mental health, with many Black mothers feeling unheard and dismissed by healthcare professionals. This can lead to long-lasting trauma, anxiety, and depression.

At Nafsiyat, our Community Links & Social Justice (CLSJ) Team recently supported Habib, a young man from the Middle East who fled his country after facing severe persecution for reporting a human rights violation. Upon arriving in the UK, Habib encountered numerous challenges, including a language barrier that led to a critical error in his asylum paperwork, further delaying his case.

Nafsiyat has embarked on a three-year collaboration with the National Lottery Community Fund starting June 2023: our Intercultural Therapeutic Support Project. This partnership aims to develop a community-based psychotherapy model for those facing acute mental distress who are not currently accessing mental health support and are marginalised due to their race, cultural background, or status as refugees or asylum seekers.