Local mental health charity fights against ‘saddest day of the year’ myth

‘Blue Monday’ has become infamous as the ‘saddest day of the year’. It’s claimed that we are at our gloomiest on the third Monday of January because the weather is cold, we have returned to work, and we are craving some sunshine and the next holiday. But that’s exactly what Blue Monday is all about – persuading you to book a holiday!

Based on a dubious formula, Blue Monday has been debunked as nothing more than a marketing campaign aimed at getting people spend money on supposed mood-boosting experiences.

Taking place on Monday 19th January, Leeds Mind is campaigning to boot out the marketing scheme myth in favour of a brighter alternative.

The mental health charity, based in Leeds, wants to spread the message that mental health challenges are not dictated by a day on the calendar. They can impact anyone at any time of the year, and for many different reasons.

When ‘Blue Monday’ suggests that the solution to mental health challenges is a trip away, ‘Multicoloured Monday’ is about coming together to advocate for looking after our mental health in more meaningful ways, all year round.

Leeds Mind is inviting Leeds residents to get their most colourful outfits on to show the ‘Blue Monday’ myth the door.

You’ll find the Leeds Mind team in Trinity Shopping Centre from 12 pm - 3pm, so pay them a visit. They will be on hand to talk all things mental health, with activities to bring some brightness to your day. You’ll find them alongside The Leeds Piano Trail, with musicians providing a soundtrack for your Multicoloured Monday.

Marie-Louise Robinson, Corporate and Events Fundraiser for Leeds Mind, commented: “Mental health challenges can strike at any time of year. We want mental health to be a regular topic of conversation, not just something we talk about on certain days. Multicoloured Monday is about starting those meaningful conversations. Our community is diverse and so are our experiences and our emotions. We need to be kind to ourselves and to others, offer support where we can and make mental health a priority every day of the year.”

Multicoloured Monday is a chance to reflect on how we can take care of our mental health and reduce pressure to feel a certain way at a certain time. To take part, the charity encourages everyone to:

• Wear something colourful with a suggested donation of £2 to Leeds Mind
• Reach out to friends, family, or colleagues and cultivate conversations about mental health.
• Share positive messages and colourful pics on social media to spread hope and strength, using the hashtags #MCM and #MultiColouredMonday
• Fundraise for Leeds Mind with exciting activities, to help the charity continue to offer invaluable mental health services across Leeds.

Funds raised for Leeds Mind will go directly to mental health services offered in the Leeds and West Yorkshire area, including young people’s services, counselling, financial wellbeing services and suicide bereavement support.

Join them on Monday 19th January for Multicoloured Monday as they work towards making mental health a priority all year long.