Forty years ago, Blue Monday was a track by New Order. In the early eighties virtually nobody was talking about mental health. Fast forward to now and Blue Monday is more than just the best selling 12 inch of all time.
What is Blue Monday?
Back in 2004 Sky Travel asked psychologist Cliff Arnall to come up with a formula for the January Blues. The formula was to be used in an advertising campaign to sell holidays to escape the miserable post-Christmas period.
The formula takes into account the weather, debt, time since Christmas, motivational levels and the likelihood of failing New Year’s resolutions.
Using the formula, which has no basis in scientific fact, it was determined that the third Monday in January was the hardest day of the month to cope with – and Blue Monday was born.
When is Blue Monday in 2024?
This year, the third Monday is 15 January. Although Blue Monday has no basis in scientific fact, it is a useful reminder of how miserable weather, money worries and the post-festive period can all combine to bring people down.
Of course, it’s not just a single day, or the first month of the year when people can feel low, lonely, depressed, or even suicidal – it’s every day of the year. That’s where The Samaritans Brew Monday campaign comes in…
What is Brew Monday?
With decades of experience in helping people, The Samaritans are well placed to understand the importance of mental health. However, they’re keen to highlight that we should always be looking to reach out and check-in on people we care for and love – not just when social media tells us to.
That’s why they run the Brew Monday campaign every year, to run alongside Blue Monday.
The premise is simple…
“Any day can be a Brew Monday. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Monday morning or Saturday night, or if you’re drinking green tea, black coffee or orange juice. If you’re sharing a cuppa and listening, you’re doing it right.”
The Samaritans
The worrying numbers
The Samaritans are the only organisation to gather suicide stats for the UK – and the numbers are worrying.
In 2022 there were 5,284 registered suicides in the UK – that’s 100 each week, or almost 15 every single day! The suicide rate in men is almost three times that of women (16.1 suicides per 100,000 people compared to 5.3 per 100,000).
Men aged between 50 and 54 have the highest suicide rate of either gender, at any age, with a rate of 23.1 per 100,000 – that’s 50% more than the men’s average.
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
How to help
The fact of the matter is, if you feel somebody you know could do with a friend (or a chat), ask them. Check-in with them – you don’t know just how much they might be needing some support.
If you’re worried about asking someone if they’re OK, there are all sorts of tips and recommendations on The Samaritans website. Have a read of those – they’re clear and really useful pointers.
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