Shows  Rural Lifestyle Shows  Rural Health Matters

Rural Health Matters: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Mental Health Concerns in Winter

University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold joined us to discuss seasonal affective disorder, winter mental health, and practical strategies for maintaining well-being in rural communities.

January 21, 2026 01:26 PM • 
Marion Kirkpatrick, RFD NEWS STAFF

LINCOLN, NEB. (RFD NEWS) — As winter continues, many rural Americans face challenges to their mental health, with shorter days, early sunsets, and prolonged cold and gray weather affecting daily life. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and other winter-related mental health concerns are top of mind for health experts as the season progresses.

Dr. Jeffrey Gold, President of the University of Nebraska, joined us on Wednesday’s Rural Health Matters to share insights on coping with winter mental health challenges.

In his interview with RFD NEWS, Dr. Gold discussed why this time of year can weigh heavily on mental well-being, particularly in rural communities where outdoor work and limited daylight add to seasonal strain. He shared practical steps people can take to support their mental health during the darker months and offered guidance for recognizing when professional help may be needed.

Dr. Gold also provided final words of encouragement for viewers, emphasizing strategies to stay proactive and maintain emotional well-being as winter continues.

Related Stories
Y2VHKgxu.jpg
Business
WOTUS and ‘Lawfare’ Emerge as Defining Terms in Agriculture Law for 2025
Roger McEowen, with the Washburn School of Law, offers an in-depth look at two of the top legal issues of 202. Today, he walks through last year’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) ruling and “lawfare.”
January 27, 2026 02:53 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
zrCcH01h.jpg
Markets
Winter Storm 2026: Ag Impacts — Markets Stay Optimistic on Ethanol as President Trump Visits Iowa
Lewis Williamson of HTS Commodities joined us with an update on the historic winter storm impacts and his outlook on today’s ag markets.
January 27, 2026 02:39 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
hcD4f0zM.jpg
Feel Good Stories
West Carroll Parish Ag Expo Showcases Rural Life, Innovation, and Agriculture’s Future
The West Carroll Parish Ag Expo represents more than farming — it is about the future of agriculture, where tradition meets innovation, and where the backbone of Northeast Louisiana continues to thrive.
January 27, 2026 12:31 PM
 · 
Tammi Arender
gqwEkvED.jpg
Markets
‘Neutral’ January Cattle-on-Feed Report Shifts Market Focus to Weather, Trade Uncertainty
Marilyn Schlake with the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics joined us for a closer look at the evolving role of livestock sale barns.
January 27, 2026 12:19 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
5xSARRBC.jpg
FFA Today
FFA Today: This All-Star FFA Alum Took StockShowAuctions.com from SAE to RFD!
Auction manager and West Texas A&M University student Presley Graves joined us to discuss the growth of StockShowAuctions.com and its impact on youth in agriculture.
January 27, 2026 06:00 AM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
wGIJoVA1.jpg
Weather News
Winter Storm 2026: Ag Impacts — Texas
Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening joined us with the latest update on storm conditions and impacts across the state.
January 26, 2026 04:30 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
Load More

Health Mental Health Ag Education & Resources
Marion Kirkpatrick
Marion Kirkpatrick
Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

noble farms wheat harvest utah 2025 1000034130.jpg
Trade
U.S.-Bangladesh Trade Deal Expands Agriculture Market Access
Mike Spier, president and CEO of U.S. Wheat Associates, discusses the new U.S.-Bangladesh trade agreement and its potential benefits for U.S. wheat growers.
February 11, 2026 12:37 PM
 · 
Tony St. James
AsCDTLqe.jpg
Trade
Industry Leaders Warn Changes to USMCA Could Disrupt North American Ag Trade
Gretchen Kuck of the National Corn Growers Association joined us to discuss the Ag Coalition for USMCA’s report findings and expectations ahead of the upcoming USMCA review.
February 11, 2026 12:17 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
Stark cloudy weather over empty exterior view of the US Capitol Building in Washington DC, USA_Photo by lazyllama via Adobe Stock.jpg
Washington Policy
Rollins, Hegseth Sign Memorandum of Understanding on USDA National Farm Security Action Plan
The agreement formalizes coordination between the two departments to address security concerns affecting U.S. agriculture.
February 11, 2026 11:05 AM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
corn grain silo stock photo_input costs and producer inflation_adobe stock.png
Rural Health
Specialty Risk Insurance and Nationwide Join Forces to Champion Grain Bin Safety at CattleCon 2026
Kevin Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance discusses the importance of grain bin safety and joint efforts with Nationwide to provide farmers and first responders with access to critical, life-saving rescue tubes.
February 10, 2026 03:57 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
Aerial of cargo ship carrying container for export cargo from cargo yard port to other ocean concept smart freight shipping ship front view_Photo by Yellow Boat via AdobeStock_1601867486.jpg
Trade
U.S. Grain Shipments Steady Despite Trade and Freight Uncertainty
RealAg Radio host Sean Haney outlines the Trump Administration’s current trade priorities and what meaningful market expansion looks like for farmers.
February 10, 2026 03:08 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
QlUvhZGs.jpg
Agriculture
Building the Ag Workforce: Inside Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture’s Veterinary Technology Program
Dr. Kelly Bruns from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture discusses how the college prepares students for careers in agriculture.
February 10, 2026 02:27 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
Load More
More Shows
Rodeo Austin - large Charolaise bull in a country show
Rodeo Austin Livestock Show
Each spring, Rodeo Austin welcomes junior livestock exhibitors and horse show exhibitors to the annual Fair and Rodeo typically held in March. On average more than 9,000 exhibitors compete to enhance their agricultural education. Rodeo Austin is proud to provide these opportunities for youth to succeed.
March 03, 2026 12:36 PM
Untitled design - 1
Stock Shows
It’s one of our favorite times of the year – Winter Stock Show Season! And to celebrate the hard work of the future of agriculture, we’re streaming live from some of the biggest livestock shows in Texas.
February 05, 2026 10:55 AM
Untitled design - 1
San Antonio Stock Show
Through scholarships, grants, endowments, junior livestock auctions, calf scramble program and show premiums, The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo impacts over 22,000 youth in Texas annually.
January 27, 2026 04:17 PM
Untitled design - 1
San Angelo Stock Show
Dedicated to preserving the western way of life and promoting agricultural education to the Youth of Texas, the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Association works year round to continue to bring top notch events to the West Texas Area.
January 27, 2026 04:09 PM
TwistedSkillet_SeanWithGrill-Smiling_1920x1080.jpg
Twisted Skillet
Twisted Skillet brings a straightforward, hands-on approach to kitchen television, rooted in food and fire. Hosted by Texas chef Sean Koehler, the series explores open-fire outdoor cooking techniques, regional ingredients, and the people who raise, prepare, and inspire the food found across America.
January 19, 2026 10:25 AM
CLAAS-OutsideCorporateBuilding_1920x1080.jpg
CLAAS: Made for More
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
January 15, 2026 04:33 PM
OutbackFarm_HdrGraphic_wLogo_1920x1080.jpg
Outback Farm
In the harsh Australian Outback, water drillers Danyelle and Anthony Haigh give up their nomadic life of searching for water for cattle ranches, to offer their two sons, Heath and Theo, a more settled life. They swap water drilling for something they’ve never done before – farming.
December 22, 2025 03:24 PM
GGHFWC_Hdr-AnalieseOnFarm01-wLogo_1920x1080 copy.jpg
A Girl’s Guide to Hunting, Fishing, and Wild Cooking
Analiese Gregory is taking one of the biggest risks of her life: she’s left her successful career as a restaurant chef and bought a century-old cottage at the bottom of the world, in pristine Tasmania, Australia. We share her journey of discovery as she gets under the skin of her new home – and learns to live seasonally off the land, by hunting, fishing, and foraging.
December 22, 2025 03:08 PM
Summit Cup
The fourth and final event in Major League Fishing’s Fishing Clash Team Series. Catch the final round each day LIVE only on RFD-TV.
November 04, 2025 12:54 PM
GoodTaste_WineBkgd-Logo_1920x1080.jpg
Goodtaste with Tanji
Hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Tanji Patton, “Goodtaste with Tanji” focuses on chefs and popular dishes from restaurants across the culinary spectrum, along with wines, cocktails, and spirits, too. As a travelogue, the show visits restaurants, diners, and eateries across the Lone Star State in fun and adventurous settings, plus the program occasionally travels to neighboring states like Louisiana and New Mexico. In addition, the show educates viewers on wine pairings and value buys available in current wine trends.
October 29, 2025 01:11 PM