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
farmer holding a tablet_Photo by artiemedvedev via AdobeStock_362770913.jpg
Business
New Year Brings Focused Marketing Discipline for Farms
A disciplined, breakeven-based marketing plan helps protect margins and reduce risk, even when markets remain unpredictable.
January 15, 2026 10:58 AM
 · 
Tony St. James
QZUPmRyX.jpg
Washington Policy
Whole Milk Returns to Schools with President Trump’s Signature, Boosting Dairy Demand
Expanded school access to whole milk provides modest but reliable demand support for U.S. dairy producers.
January 15, 2026 10:14 AM
 · 
Tony St. James
2YojrNMo.jpg
Sports
Midland County Junior Livestock Showcases Talent and Dedication of West Texas Youth
StockShowAuctions.com takes us to the Midland County Junior Livestock Show in West Texas, where young producers are showcasing their dedication, skill, and champion livestock.
January 14, 2026 04:27 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
LTSxIWst.jpg
Weather News
Extreme Weather Challenges Farmers to Boost Climate Resilience Strategies
Alissa White with American Farmland Trust joined us to provide insight into climate resilience efforts and strategies to help farmers manage weather-related risks.
January 14, 2026 02:20 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
5cavgTLi.jpg
Rural Health Matters
Rural Health Matters: Protecting Respiratory and Skin Health During Winter Outdoor Work
University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold joined us to share practical health and safety guidance for managing respiratory and skin health during the winter season.
January 14, 2026 02:04 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
eEsLTuMA.jpg
Agriculture
How Legal Battles over Public Trust Doctrine, ‘Product of USA’ Labels Could Reshape Ag Policy
Roger McEowen with the Washburn University School of Law joined us to provide legal analysis on key cases shaping the agricultural landscape heading into the year ahead.
January 14, 2026 01:49 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:

BIgxsyj2.jpg
Fort Worth Stock Show
WATCH: Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Now Streaming on RFD+
The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo continues through Saturday, showcasing livestock, youth involvement, and agricultural talent, with the Junior Sale of Champions serving as the culmination of the 23-day event.
February 04, 2026 12:54 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
SELECTS_FARMHER_ 20_03_25_USA_ALL_VARIOUS_0105.jpg
Business
John Deere Spotlights Hay Technology at CattleCon
We caught up with John Deere’s Hay & Forage Got-To Market Manager Kaylene Ballesteros to learn how tech is evolving how producers make hay, from baling efficiency to operator confidence.
February 04, 2026 12:38 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
N0qxUSjU.jpg
Washington Policy
Sen. Marshall: 45Z Tax Credit Now Limits Eligibility for Biofuel Made from Imported Waste Oils
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas discusses expected changes to the 45Z tax credit and what they could mean for agriculture and rural America.
February 04, 2026 11:13 AM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
SELECTS_FARMHER_ 20_03_30_USA_ALL_VARIOUS_0124.jpg
Markets
Farmer Sentiment Slides in January as Financial and Export Worries Rise
Purdue University Professor of Agricultural Economics Dr. Jim Mintert shares a closer look at farmer sentiment and the key issues shaping the agricultural economy in January.
February 04, 2026 10:53 AM
 · 
Tony St. James
usda logo.png
USDA
USDA: Secretaries Rubio, Rollins Release Joint Statement on U.S.-Mexico 1944 Water Treaty
Securing Critical Water Resources for South Texas Agriculture
February 03, 2026 01:10 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
rnzN5U2r.jpg
World News
Questions Arise as Canada Shutters Ag Research Facilities Due to Budget Cuts
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney says farmers there are already sounding the alarm about what this could mean for the future of ag research.
February 03, 2026 01:03 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