Episode 168: Mental Health Through the Holidays and Winter with Mandi Leite, PMHNP-BC, and Erin Adkins, CSW-PIP, QMHP

Many people go into the holiday season feeling a heaviness they can't quite explain. Lead-Deadwood Hospital and Clinic’s Erin Adkins, CSW-PIP, QMHP, Mental Health Counselor, and Mandi Leiti, PMHNP-BC, a Nurse Practitioner who specializes in psychiatric and mental health, return to discuss winter mental health. They explain why January often brings the biggest wave of people seeking help, how to navigate holiday gatherings when you're already struggling and the difference between winter blues and seasonal affective disorder. The duo offer practical advice on managing financial stress during the holidays, dealing with grief when facing the first season without a loved one and recognizing when it's time to seek professional help. They also discuss how simple steps like getting morning sunlight can make a real difference. If you're feeling the weight of the season, this conversation offers valuable guidance. December 2, 2025