Blue Monday comes under fire from mental health charities – See why

Each January, the concept of “Blue Monday” surfaces, labeling the third Monday of the month as the “most depressing day of the year.” This annual phenomenon often trends on social media, further embedding itself in popular culture. 

But while the idea of Blue Monday is widely recognized, mental health charities have strongly criticized it for trivializing the real challenges of mental health. In 2005, Welsh psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall coined Blue Monday as a marketing tool for a travel company selling summer vacations.

Arnall used a pseudo-scientific formula incorporating post-holiday blues, financial struggles, and poor weather to identify the supposed “most miserable day.” However, the psychologist has since distanced himself from the concept, acknowledging its unintended adverse effects.

In a 2018 interview with The Independent, Arnall reflected on the backlash, saying that It was never his intention to associate January with gloom. Instead, he believes the start of the year is a time of opportunity and optimism. 

“Whether embarking on a new career, meeting new friends, taking up a new hobby, or booking a new adventure, January is a great time to make those big decisions for the year ahead,” he stated.

Mental health charities push back against the Blue Monday myth

Mental health charities, including Samaritans, have denounced Blue Monday as harmful and misleading. They argue that the concept oversimplifies the complexities of mental health and perpetuates stereotypes that could discourage individuals from seeking help.

Samaritan’s executive director, Sonya Trivedy, has been vocal about the harm caused by Blue Monday, noting that the term is harmful to mental health treatment efforts.

 “The idea that there’s a single ‘worst’ day of the year is not only a load of rubbish but is harmful as it could deter people from seeking support when needed,” Trivedy explained.

Samaritans introduced their “Brew Monday” campaign to counter the negativity associated with Blue Monday. Now in its ninth year, this initiative encourages people to check in with loved ones over tea and emphasizes that struggles can occur on any day of the year.

“Our Brew Monday campaign aims to dispel the unhelpful myth of ‘Blue Monday’ because we know people can struggle any day of the year,” Trivedy added. “Our volunteers are busy 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, offering support to those in need.”

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A call to focus on mental health awareness year-round

Critics of Blue Monday highlight the risks of using oversimplified ideas to represent mental health struggles. Charities like Samaritans stress the importance of creating genuine opportunities for connection and understanding rather than promoting potentially harmful stereotypes.

Mental health is a year-round concern, and the public is encouraged to take small, meaningful actions—such as checking in with friends or family—to support those who may be struggling. 

The conversation around Blue Monday emphasises that mental health challenges cannot be confined to a single day. Instead, a concerted effort should focus on fostering compassion, awareness, and support throughout the year.