With leaves changing color and the temperature dropping, fall is creeping closer to the southeast.

Among the changes will be shorter daylight hours, which can affect people's mental health as the long days of summer slip away.

Envision Counseling and Support's FIRST counselor Elizabeth Lambe said it affects a lot of people, even if they don't realize it.

"It's an issue that we see that's part of the pattern of every person in humanity, especially because we live in Saskatchewan. Seasonal depression i something that's very real that can affect many people and sometimes they don't even realize it."

Lambe noted that while Envision doesn't diagnose problems, they've still got plenty of experience talking to people about their problems.

"Because our staff are so knowledgeable, it means in many different areas of support, we're able to help the individual see and recognize options for themselves. Getting outside, connecting with others, staying in routine, that's very important."

On top of the changing conditions, fall can also bring some pressures as the new school year starts.

"Eating properly, talking to friends, laughing - laughing is critical. Many of us don't laugh enough because we have a lot of pressure on us and especially with the school year starting, that's causing increased pressure on families."

Saskatchewan can be an especially harsh place for it, with fewer daylight hours and a lot more now and cold weather.

"It definitely is, all of us need sunshine and light and our brains need that. So when we're not getting as much sunshine and light as we typically do, because our prairie summers are phenomenal. That's why we do see many people start to see shift in their mood as the level of sun that we're getting changes over time."

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