'Blue Monday' contributes to damaging misconceptions about depression and trivialises an illness that can be life threatening.
Plus, it is not a thing!
'Blue Monday' was originally created by a travel company to sell holidays, that's it. Since 2016 many mental health charities have repurposed the day to increase awareness of services, support and start conversations about our own wellbeing.
I'm a big believer in awareness raising, everyday will be someone's first conversation about their experiences or their first time searching online for help and support.
At the same time, what about education? Education is very different to awareness. We can be aware poor mental health and illnesses exist, but what do we actively do to support our own wellbeing and that of our friends and colleagues?
'Blue Monday' campaigns running in 2024 may show an awareness mental health exists, but more so show a huge lack of education about it. The (in my opinion) dangerous manipulative way mental health and mental health illness is portrayed by this campaign prove that we as a society need better/ more informed mental health education.
If you are putting up posters or sharing information about mental health today that's great, but remember most of us affected by or struggling with illnesses will be struggling tomorrow too.
Let's keep the support going after Monday.
Maybe start a conversation, share a brew, wear something colourful, share information about local or online support (some great stuff from Samaritans, Mind and local Minds), share your own wellbeing activities; or maybe, make this the start of a fundraising journey...