Blue Monday takes place on the third Monday in January. This year, Blue Monday will fall on Monday 17th January 2022 and is often considered to be the most depressing day of the year. Introduced in 2004, the campaign behind the awareness day claim that the combination of bad weather, post-Christmas debt and failed New Year’s resolutions all contribute to Blue Monday being the most depressing day of the year.

For some, Blue Monday is considered a pseudoscience. However, for many people across the globe, Blue Monday is a very real phenomenon and has a significant impact on their wellbeing. Regardless, it’s a great opportunity for individuals to discuss and support each other with their overall emotional and physical health during the difficult winter months.

What signs should I look out for?

Some of the most common symptoms of Blue Monday mirror that of depression including low mood, and anxiety. Individuals may find themselves feeling low due to debt gained over the past year/festive period and the colder, darker January weather.

Blue Monday has also been linked to seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The long wait between salary payments from December to January is also thought to be a contributing factor. It’s not uncommon for individuals to feel low in motivation as a result, which might impact their work and personal life in several ways, including a loss of work ethic or connection to others.

For information and support through the site, please visit Mental Health