‘Blue Monday’ is a day in January that has been described as the most depressing day of the year. It fell last Monday Jan 15th and is decided by factors such as the weather, debt level, the amount of time since Christmas, time since our new year’s resolutions failed, low motivational levels and the feeling of a need to take charge of the situation. Some mental health charities would say that the concept has no foundation in scientific research and that it can be very misleading. The key point is that those who live with depression, know that feeling down is not dictated by a certain date.

It is good to know that there are two sides to this story. Some people might think that they should have been feeling down last Monday, when in fact they are doing just fine. It is good to also be aware that people struggle during this month of January including last Monday sometimes called ‘Blue Monday’. You too can make a difference. Why not turn ‘Blue Monday’ into ‘Reaching Out Week’? Why not have a cuppa with someone today, catch up with someone you know who might be struggling, ring someone you haven’t contacted with a while or take time out to say a prayer for someone who needs a prayer at this time.

Clearly during the month of January we need to mind ourselves. It is not an easy month for everyone. It’s ok to feel not ok. You are not on your own. There is a beautiful uplifting spiritual line in St Paul’s letter to the Romans (15:13). It says: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” As you journey through this month of January I hope and pray that you also will feel this hope and that it will be your inspiration to keep taking those small steps through each day. By taking it one day at a time, by feeling and trusting in a God who loves us, we will have no fear whatsoever of a ‘Blue Monday’ or indeed any day that may be difficult or a challenge to us.