Blue Monday, grey Tuesday
What is Blue Monday?
It's quickly become a day that the whole universe knows as the most depressing day of the calendar year. It has many studies on this particular day to prove that is it just that, a depressing day for many of the public.
After reading into it more it is clear that there are many factors as to why it is such a bad day for people, including bad debt situations, the weather, the whole attitude of the world at the time as lets be honest, it's right after Christmas, everyone has put on weight, spent all their money and just want to sleep and not return to work. Unfortunately, Blue Monday is more then that for some people,it's a world wide mental health day, which is super important and something everyone needs to take note of.
Due to it being a mental health day, it is classed as "misleading" by founders of mental health organisations. Blue Monday, the date in January does not mean mental health only happens on this day, it does not mean everyone with mental health will feel down on this day, it does not mean that mental health should be restricted to a single date. It's a day that should give more of an eye opening debate on mental health and what can be done to help it, and help individuals around you which suffer with it!
I'm definitely an advocate of mental health and I believe we should always be trying to help mental health, especially days like this when everything is focused on mental health and can trigger a lot of people! A few ways to help people with mental health (that I have learnt):
- Check up on them: Take time to send them a message once in a while, even just a "hey, you good? thinking of you" can go along way and will make them happy for a second.
- Look after them: If they are having an especially bad day, wrap them in a blanket, give them a cup of tea, hold them and just tell them, "it's ok!". Let them cry on you, let them squeeze your hand, let them scream and rant, LISTEN TO THEM, they need it.
- Give them space: Mental health is hard, and sometimes having everyone constantly worry about you and asking if you are ok every 5 minutes really sucks. Sometimes they need space to breathe, to connect with themselves again.
- For people who experience panic attacks: Stand back, they need to breathe, have some water ready - bottle, cup, any water is good. If they need you to hold, be there to support them, wrap your arms around them, play with their hair. If they can handle it, whisper into their ear that it will pass eventually and you are right there when they need you. DO NOT LET PEOPLE CROWD AROUND AND WATCH.
Mental health is a big thing in our lives now, and it needs to be addressed. These tips are just from personal experiences and may not work for everyone, so please ask the person you want to help if these would help or trigger. It's important to listen to them and know what they need!
Please be kind.
ROJO STATUS - xo
Fo