‘Doc Talks’
Dear Editor: Wednesday, Sept. 10, marked the first “Doc Talk” lecture in a series presented by Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital and the Hames Center. I’d like to share my positive experience with the event as well as highlight some of the information presented by Dr. S.R. Thorward about Seasonal Affective Disorder.
As a newcomer to Sitka, I felt delighted by the cooperative nature of “Doc Talk” that mobilized the efforts and expertise of Hames volunteers, Mt. Edgecumbe staff, and community members.
Throughout the discussion, while we munched on delicious healthy snacks catered by SEARHC, Dr. “SR” kept us listening and laughing in light of the more dreary aspects of Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. SAD, I learned, is a common mood disorder constituted by a cycle of depression that follows a seasonal pattern. Feelings of lethargy and despair result from changes in hormones the body produces in reaction to reduced daylight, usually during winter. Studies have shown that as many as 10 percent of people suffer from the condition in Alaska, flagged as “the American vortex of seasonal blues.”
“SR” explained to the crowd that during his career as a psychiatrist in Southeast Alaska, he’s discovered that most Sitkans are very deficient in vitamin D, a response to limited sun exposure. Some of these people exhibit a milder form of SAD, with low mood and decreased energy levels during winter.
Bottom line: taking vitamin D, consistently exercising, and maintaining a balanced diet is key for anyone to weather the winter. In some cases however, this is not enough.
“SR” urged anyone feeling SAD symptoms, including depression, exhaustion and weight gain during the winter months, to consider treatment. Different therapeutic options include daily light therapy through “happy lamp,” or simply flying away to somewhere sunny for awhile.
I recommend “Doc Talk” and encourage everyone to attend this free and open event at the Hames Center on Wednesday nights through Nov. 19. Socializing, learning and munching on treats is fun, but most of all, I feel empowered as a slightly more seasoned resource for the wellbeing of my friends, family and community.
Devin Tatro, Sitka,
Americorps VISTA Volunteer
Health Summit Planning
Dear Editor: We want you! The 8th Annual Sitka Health Summit Planning Day is set for Friday, Oct. 3, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., in the auditorium of Centennial Hall.
This year about 65 locals will be brainstorming, evaluating and selecting two new goals for 2014-2015. Since 2007, the Health Summit has been the place where innovative ideas get turned into concrete and well known initiatives. Because of our generous sponsors, this year’s top two goals will be given unprecedented support: $2,000 in start-up funds each, more social media attention than ever, plus October ads in the theater, radio and paper. Our plan is for everyone in town to know what the new goals are by Halloween. Do you know of a project that could benefit from that kind of money and attention?
By far the most important new thing the 2014-2015 goals will get is the on-going support of our executive director Melissa Marconi-Wentzel. Her work will make a major impact and could make all the difference in the world. The new initiatives will also get: an afternoon of facilitated action planning on the 3rd, letters of support from the coalition to help with funding, technical assistance based on previous projects and the credibility that comes from being democratically selected at an open public meetings. We think it’s a winning combination and one that’s clearly worked well in Sitka.
We don’t knows what this year’s goals will be, but we are confident that they are being set up for success like never before. With your support this could be our break-through year! To reach our goal we need 40 more planners who can help us brainstorm, evaluate and select two energizing ideas that will spur action and get people motivated. We would really appreciate if you were one of them.
To sign up for Planning Day, please go to: www.sitkahealthsummitak.org to register, take a look at previous initiatives, and start thinking up ideas for 10/3. Hope you can make it.
Gunalchéesh and thanks,
Doug Osborne, Angela McGraw, Patrick Williams, Clara Gray,
Ellen Daly and
Melissa Marconi-Wentzel
Sitka Health Summit Coalition
P.S. We’ve been challenged to top last year’s BIG opening where JKT, the mayor and our tribal chair entered the scene like a basketball team by busting through a huge hoop of decorated butcher paper (thanks to Mt. Edgecumbe High who loaned it to us). We’ve got the same terrific trio lined up to do the 2014 opening but with a new and exciting twist; if things go as planned we’ll top it.
