“The most recent data shows around one in six (16%) adults in the UK experienced moderate to severe depressive symptoms. This is similar to rates found in 2021 (17%) but significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels (10%).”

One in twenty people in the UK are diagnosed with SAD, with men more likely to be diagnosed with the condition than women.

The seasonal nature of SAD means symptoms are often overlooked or dismissed. Those suffering might not know they have the condition, or be unsure where they can turn for support.

Nuffield Health’s 2023 ‘Healthier Nation Index’ – a survey that captures data from 8,000 UK adults – highlighted that poor sleep is still a huge issue across the UK. Of those surveyed, only 36 per cent said their sleep was ‘good’.

Nuffield Health says it defines a ‘good quality of sleep’ as one that has ‘the right balance of deep, slow-wave sleep and shallow, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep – where dreaming occurs’.