Skagway winters are notoriously dark and seasonal depression is common. But the local Elks Lodge is working to brighten up the mental health outlook in town. Claire Stremple reports.

Andrew Cremata is stepping into one of the two vitamin D light rooms he worked to install in the Skagway Elks Lodge.

He uses a stick to measure 15 inches from the lamp, sets a timer for w few minutes, and flips on the light. The machine emits a ticking sound, reminiscent of an egg-timer.

This is part of Light for Skagway, a mental health program that pairs vitamin D lights with mental health awareness training courses. It’s at the Elks Lodge, but it’s open to everyone. As people file in to opening night, they get the low-down from Cremata, submit their paperwork, and mill around chatting and eating snacks.

It looks like a light-hearted evening, but the program has serious roots. Cremata started the project because he saw depression hurting the community.

“I’ve had a few friends over the last few years who have committed suicide,” he says. “And its common in Alaska. In fact, the suicide rate here is more than double what it is in the lower 48.”

Well, it’s almost double according to the most recent study by the American Association of Suicidology. But Cremata’s point is that he sees a link between insufficient sunlight and depression and he’d like to do something about it.

Vitamin D isn’t a cure-all for every mental health woe. But by pairing the light treatment with mental health training and increasing awareness around depression, the project aims to empower the community to find relief. For Cremata, the potential benefits justify the effort.

“Ultimately, if it helps prevent somebody from committing suicide, or helps them seek out help, or makes it possible for someone to see when another person is hurting and give them the help they need, then the whole thing is worth it,” he says.

The program is an over $10,000 investment in community mental health. Lodge 431 earned the money from an Impact Grant from the Elks National Community Investments program. They’re the first Alaskan Lodge to win one–ever. Cremata proved to the Elks he could benefit Skagway, but his ultimate goal is even bigger than that. He wants to see the program rolled out in elks lodges statewide.

To prove to the Elks that the program is worth expanding, some participants are getting blood tests before and after a series of light treatments. Seventy-five percent were vitamin D deficient after the first test. They’re hoping light treatments will bump them into the healthy range. Kathy Carr is one of them.

“My level was 23.7, which is too low, it’s not the lowest but its low. I’m not in the normal range,” she says.

Carr says she’s been taking supplements, so she was surprised her level is low. This is her 4th winter in Alaska. Carr is open to talking about her experiences with depression; she says it’s just part of who she is. But that’s not the case for everyone.

“There is such a stigma with mental health disorders,” she says. “I wanna work towards letting people know that it’s okay… There shouldn’t be such a rough stigma around it, you know. There are ways to help yourself and others, so I think that should be the focus.”

That’s where John Hischer comes in. He’s the mental health counselor at the Dahl Memorial Clinic–the only place in Skagway to access mental healthcare. He’s offering a training as part of the program. He’ll teach people to see the signs of depression and how to communicate about them. 

“A good way would be: ‘So listen, I saw that you haven’t been coming around as often and you’re staying home. And I’m really concerned about you. Is there anything going on?” he demonstrates.

He says wintertime depression can have many causes: money gets tighter, and housing can be an issue. But limited sunlight is a big one. Days are shorter and Skagway sits in a tight valley between mountain ranges.

“I’ve heard people refer to it as like living in a ditch,” Hischer laughs. “I’m like you need to get out! Go to whitehorse! So I think that does impact people.”

He thinks the lights may help when people can’t escape the dark and winter weather. On the table in front of him is a stack if informational packets.

The effect of increasing awareness around depression is hard to quantify. But here at Elks Lodge 431, dozens of people are learning and sharing about mental health in a relaxed environment. Hischer’s stack of reading materials is dwindling and people are testing the booths. And those are tangible steps towards bringing mental health issues into the light.

John Hischer is offering a two-day Mental Health First Aid Clinic this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information about the program visit the Elks Lodge. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide or self harm, call the Careline at 877-266-HELP or seek help from a medical professional.