Thomas Lehrich, Board President recognizes December as Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month

Plus One Foundation joins the health care community to help educate about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).  December is Seasonal Depression Awareness Month. A month dedicated to help educate about seasonal depression, also known SAD, and the ways to alleviate its symptoms.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is more prevalent in regions with longer winters and areas with shorter sunlight days. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression triggered by seasonal changes. It can cause fatigue, depression, and social withdrawal due to a biochemical changes in the brain. Seasonal Affective Disorder affects approximately 5% of the population, or more than 16.4 million Americans.

The symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder include:

• Change in appetite

• Change in sleeping patterns

• Loss of energy or increased fatigue

• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities

• Feeling sad or having a depressed mood

• Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions

Strategies for treating:

• Light therapy: A light box can promote light exposure throughout the winter. This method is one of the most widely used therapies for seasonal affective disorder. Light devices have a similar effect on the body as sunlight. Over time, light boxes help users to adjust their circadian rhythm and the levels of various hormones and neurotransmitters that affect mood and energy. Studies show using light therapy earlier in day creates higher efficacy.

• Engaging in healthy social interactions: Meeting with friends or family, even for a short time, is also great for mental health. Spending time with loved ones can help lift your mood, even if it’s hard to be sociable when the weather outside is cold, dark, and dismal.

• Therapy: Counseling is another beneficial treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder. Therapy might help you figure out what’s triggering your seasonal depression and what’s making your symptoms worse. In addition, your counselor will work with you to develop strategies for dealing with negative thoughts so that they no longer dictate your outlook on life.

• Exercise: Creating regular and healthy physical exercise routines helps alleviate symptoms. Getting outside during the winter months is known to have benefits to brain health. Even if it is overcast outside it is brighter than being inside.

Thomas Lehrich, President of the Board announces board of directors retreat to be held at University of Washington

The board of directors are meeting the first week of December on the UW campus for the Annual Retreat. 

As fall begins the board is busy planning the year of programming.  Fall marks a time for planning and is a time for the earth’s autumnal equinox.  Autumnal equinox is when the earth experiences nearly equal day and night, marking the official beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.  This astronomical event occurs when the sun crosses the celestial equator, and for those in the Northern Hemisphere, days become shorter and cooler. 

We know the equinox is also associated with cultural celebrations, like harvest festivals, and increased activity all over the world. 

The board is meeting on the campus of University of Washington to complete the 2026 Strategic Plan and committee goals.  The retreat and strategic sessions is designed to deliver high impact programming and education for the neurological community. 

Thomas Lehrich, Board President recognizes-NATIONAL CHILD'S DAY

Plus One Foundation provides programing for both adults and children with neurological conditions. 

Join Plus One as we celebrate National Child’s Day on November 20th. We recognize National Child's Day and all the potential represented by our children's ambitions, dreams, and goals. 

Through educational goals, STEAM projects, and academic missions, educators and families join forces to provide excellence at all levels of education.

We join in encouraging young students to incorporate STEM education. 

Encourage community endeavors that promote Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math because these areas of focus support the way we live every day, and they can be strengthened in education today.

Science - Every day, we use science in nearly every facet of life. From medicine to the development of new products to solutions to socioeconomic issues, science is a necessary tool in the educational toolbox.

Technology - It's growing every day. We communicate with people around the world who speak another language. Hundreds of years of compiled science allow us to continue developing new technologies to explore space. New innovations will enable us to cure a disease before babies are even born.

Engineering - Without engineering, many innovations never happen. Whether we look deep to the ocean floor or miles above the earth, engineers visualize and then create the components that work together. It's a fusion of science, technology, and design.

Art - By human nature, we need the arts. Those who have a creative outlet perform better at work. While we're more likely to be more productive, the arts allow us the opportunity to connect to the human condition. It's also an ability to understand design and quality. When a product has an aesthetic design, it holds its value longer. Quality products are also a piece of art.

Math - When it comes to each of the above areas, every one of them relies on math. We wouldn't have gone to the moon without it. If we want our children to move us with music or with the next greatest automobile, they will need outstanding math skills, too.

Plus One Foundation's education campaign Think aBout It features educational information and outreach on contemporary neurological topics. Education is at the heart of what we do; our Think aBout It campaign aims to dig deeper into all aspects of TBIs and neurological conditions.

Board President announces Annual Retreat at University of Washington in Seattle!

The board of directors are meeting the first week of December on the UW campus for the Annual Retreat. 

As fall begins the board is busy planning the year of programming.  Fall marks a time for planning and is a time for the earth’s autumnal equinox.  Autumnal equinox is when the earth experiences nearly equal day and night, marking the official beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.  This astronomical event occurs when the sun crosses the celestial equator, and for those in the Northern Hemisphere, days become shorter and cooler. 

We know the equinox is also associated with cultural celebrations, like harvest festivals, and increased activity all over the world. 

The board is meeting on the campus of University of Washington to complete the 2026 Strategic Plan and committee goals.  The retreat and strategic sessions is designed to deliver high impact programming and education for the neurological community. 

Thomas Lehrich, Board President reviews article: A Second Tempo: Music, Movement, and the Healing Brain

Brain research is one of the last frontiers in medical research. Plus One Foundation's education campaign Think aBout It features educational information and outreach on contemporary neurological topics. Education is at the heart of what we do; our Think aBout It campaign aims to dig deeper into all aspects of TBIs and neurological conditions.

I am pleased to review an article published by board member Jake Petersen titled: A Second Tempo: Music, Movement, and the Healing Brain. His evidence based article covers music as a therapy to achieve improvements with neurological conditions. 

In his article Jake discusses music, movement, and dance therapy and the promise shown in helping individuals with neurological conditions. His insightful segment begins with the impact on his first encounter with an individual suffering a stroke and then discuses the efficacy of music for Parkinson’s patients.

Thank you Jake for your powerful piece on music therapy. The article is pasted below and available on our webpage in the TBI2026 education section. 

Lear more..