How to cope with long winter nights when the clocks go back
Prof Parr points out that people in rural communities often have limited access to social and medical support to help them through winter. So for the first time this year, islanders on Orkney are being offered therapeutic lamps to help them cope with Sad and counter the effects of low light. These will be handed out from libraries as part of 'Wintering Well' boxes. The lamps come alongside an activity guide and tools to help people develop a routine for good mental health when daylight is in short supply. Prof Parr says: "We're pitching our resources at an attitudinal shift, a psychological mind-shift towards winter. "So that we get out and enjoy winter, no matter what the weather. "We've put that into a book and a CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) course in partnership with a psychiatrist." Tools in the box include a winter sky frame. It's a simple cardboard cut-out, that people are encouraged to hold for 10 minutes to observe a small patch of sky, to help lift their mood.