When is Blue Monday 2026: Why is this January day considered the most gloomy? And where to get help in Leeds

Welcome to the lead-up to the annual Blue Monday, taking place on January 19 this year, only one week away as of writing.

It’s the day we are told to expect the worst: the intersection of cold weather, holiday debt, and the 'back-to-reality' slump. It has become a permanent fixture of our January culture, sparking headlines and hashtags every single year.

Oh, and the back-to-school tasks are also at hand - so after what is usually a quiet Christmas break, suddenly real life hits you in the face once again.

But as we prepare to navigate the mid-month dip, it’s time to take a closer look at what this day actually represents and how it has shaped our conversation around mental health - and whether the idea of Blue Monday is one of clever PR spin.

What is Blue Monday?

Blue Monday is the name given to the third Monday in January, often cited as the "most depressing day of the year."

The phrase is said to originate from travel company Sky Travel, which used a specific formula to suggest that several factors collide on this day to make us feel at our lowest: gloomy winter weather, the arrival of Christmas credit card bills, and the realisation that our New Year’s resolutions have already started to slip.

While it started as a simple press release to encourage people to book summer holidays, the concept truly exploded with the rise of social media.

By the mid-2010s, #BlueMonday became a massive annual trend. Major brands began using the day to launch ‘pick-me-up’ sales, and news outlets started reporting on it as an established part of the calendar.

Today, it has become a self-fulfilling prophecy: we expect to feel down on this day because the internet tells us we should, despite the growing chorus of sceptics who argue that Blue Monday is nothing more than clever marketing.

Is Blue Monday real?

In a word: No.

But while the formula behind it is unscientific, it has led to all-important discussions around mental health and depression.

While the ‘January Blues’ are a very common experience during the cold, dark weeks after the holidays, experts have spent years debunking the idea that one specific day is the ‘most depressing’.

The original formula used to calculate the date - multiplying things like ‘weather’ by ‘debt’ - is mathematically impossible. Scientists have long pointed out that you cannot measure human emotions or the weather with a single number to solve an equation.

Experts argue that Blue Monday is a human invention, not a biological one. There is no "sadness chemical" that drops in our brains on this specific Monday. It feels real primarily because it is a social construct - an idea created in a boardroom that we see trending on our feeds every year.

I or someone I know are struggling with the blues this January - where is help available?

The feeling of being low or struggling in January is very real for many. If you or someone you know is finding things difficult, Leeds has an incredible network of support services ready to listen.

If you aren’t sure where to start, MindWell is the "go-to" digital hub for mental health in Leeds. It’s funded by the NHS and the City Council to help you find local services, self-help tools, and advice on everything from stress to housing.

Our local branch of the national charity, Leeds Mind, offers a huge range of support, including peer support groups, counselling, and employment advice. They are experts in helping people in our city manage their mental health in a way that works for them.

The Samaritans are available 24/7, 365 days a year. You don’t have to be in a total crisis to call them—they are there for anyone who needs to talk about whatever is on their mind. You can even visit their local branch on Clarendon Road for face-to-face support (it's best to call ahead). You can call them on 116 123 (Free from any phone) or email them instead.

For those looking for more structured help, like talking therapies or online courses for anxiety and depression, you can self-refer to LMWS. You don’t need a GP appointment to start—just fill out the form on their website.

In the event of immediate help, call NHS 111 and select the Mental Health options for 24/7 urgent support, or text SHOUT to 85258 for a confidential, text-based conversation at any time. Remember, it’s ok not to be ok.