What is Blue Monday? Truth or Myth

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Monday 15th January has been cursed with the name Blue Monday and deemed the most depressing day of the year in 2024.

Music fans of course know Blue Monday to be the title of New Order's famous 1983 track, but in recent years it's been associated with something else entirely.

Let's face it, most Mondays are pretty bad and January isn't the greatest month of the year either, but why has this day in particular been given such a bad rep?

Blue Monday is the third Monday of January and in 2024 it falls on Monday 15th January. It's been calculated as the most depressing day of the year due to several factors, including its distance away from Christmas, the fact that most people won't have received their first pay of the year, and the likelihood that we've all already failed miserably at keeping our New Year's Resolutions.

It might surprise you to know that the origins of the term Blue Monday came from a travel firm looking to promote their winter holiday deals and encourage bookings.

So there you have it. Blue Monday is a totally made up day of the year as your Mental Health doesn't recognise the calendar. Feeling low or anxious is not pre booked or limited to one day. It can affect us at any time, at any stage of our life.

Whether it's a man-made myth or not, plenty of people still find this time of the year difficult.

In Sam's Name will hold a peer support group meeting, 7pm at Ashwood Centre, Portland Street, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, NG17 7AB on Monday 15th January 2024 (Blue Monday).

* In Sam's Name is not a clinical session and is not a substitute for therapy or emergency services. This group is run by volunteers who are not mental health professionals.

(Source - Radio X)