Winter Blues: seasonal risks beyond the cold

Winter poses unique physical and psychological difficulties for our guests.

This winter has been tougher than most – we’ve seen record-breaking snowfall and bitter cold temperatures. And it seems like the city’s snowbanks will never melt.

This time of year can be tough for anyone, and particularly for anyone who struggles with mental health: drops in energy, motivation, and happiness come with a consistent lack of sunlight.

It’s estimated that 5% of the US population deals with seasonal depression every year. More than just a sad mood, seasonal depression is caused by reduced levels of serotonin and vitamin D, and can create sleep disturbances, anxiety, and fatigue.

The “winter blues” are especially difficult for our guests, posing increased psychological challenges on top of the physical and material risks of the cold. On the coldest days, you might think that Broad Street Love is overflowing with guests seeking warmth. However, for many of our guests, it can be incredibly risky to give up space in Philadelphia’s already crowded shelters, especially on days it’s unsafe to be outside.

In fact, on the most bitterly cold days, some guests must choose whether to stand in line for space at a shelter for the night, or come to Broad Street Love for a hot meal. Chyna Parker, our Director of Community Engagement, says, “I see people choosing between food or a roof over their heads for the day. No one should have to make that choice.”

Living without permanent housing also requires a lot of effort and planning, and as many guests deal with lower energy levels, a lack of motivation, and persistent sadness, it can be even more important to seek emotional support and togetherness.

Chyna adds, “Once the holidays end and you have these dark months, even people that are housed are like, now what? It’s hard on your mental health.”

Here at Broad Street Love, we’re doing everything we can to make sure that our guests have a warm place to find critical physical and emotional support.

To stave off feelings of isolation, our daily meals, which serve over 300 people every day, are served tableside in our dining room where guests can sit and talk to their friends and family, or the supportive BSL staff and volunteers they’ve come to know.

And once guests are here, they can access all of Broad Street Love’s supportive services under one roof: no braving the bitter cold, shuttling from place to place, looking for support.

Whether it’s getting a warmer winter jacket, setting up a mailbox to receive SNAP or health benefits, or getting personal support accessing resources from one of our Concierges, it’s our work to make sure that once a guest is here at Broad Street Love, they feel safe, connected, and hopeful for spring: it’s just around the corner.