It’s ‘Blue Monday’: Montreal psychologist on how to overcome January blues
Posted January 15, 2024 11:34 am.
Last Updated January 15, 2024 6:43 pm.
The third Monday in Jan. is deemed to be “Blue Monday” –- the so-called “most depressing day of the year.”
The concept began in 2005 through a travel company based in the United Kingdom — after making calculations based on weather, debt levels and other conditions in the Northern Hemisphere.
Though there is no actual scientific basis –- the day does serve as a reminder to check in on ones mental health.
RELATED: The bright side of saddest day of the year; Blue Monday
“People who are kind of barely holding it together,” said Montreal psychologist, Myrtis Fossey. “Really start to unravel in January.”
“It’s kind of a mixed bag,” she adds. “On the one hand, you have a lot of people who are treating it like it’s a fresh start.”
“And then you have the other end of it where it’s just depressing, I’m not where I ought to be.”
A clinical psychologist since 2002, Fossey holds walk-in sessions with her team at Myrtis Fossey’s Walk-In Mental Health Services in Montreal.
Existing or new patients can drop-in every Saturday — virtually or in-person.
“If we take care of the problems when they’re small, they don’t become big problems,” she explained. “If someone has to wait nine months to speak to someone, something that could have been solved maybe in a couple of sessions becomes something that could take years.”
“I have the intake forms here and then there’s French or English,” said Sarah Lemme, Clinical Services Coordinator and Personal Growth Consultant on how their walk-in service works. “Then depending on preference, the client is asked to fill out the intake form.”
“This includes a consent form, some questions.”
After the session, patients can expect assistance or redirection to other services.
Why are you feeling blue this month?
“Partly the weather,” explained Fossey. “But the other thing is I believe it’s following the holiday season, which is an extremely high stress season for most people.”
“Financial situation for many people is quite strained in Jan.”
“In addition to shoveling snow, ” she added. “You’ve maybe had some difficult exchanges with family members.”
“There’s a lot of strains,” she added. “A lot of extra pressures, which make the normal pressures worse.”
What can you do if you’re feeling blue?
“First thing, you woke up this morning, you brushed your teeth, A+,” said Fossey. “That’s all you have to do today.”
Taking care of your mental health like you would take care of yourself when you have a cold – she puts it.
Get a good night’s rest, eat well, and reach out for assistance and resources — you’re never alone.
RELATED: How to survive Blue Monday this year
“People feel like that they shouldn’t be sad, that I ought not feel this way,” said Fossey. “The first thing I like to tell people is just normalize that, you’re allowed to have a period of time in the year and in your life — everything has a season.”
“It’s not inappropriate to have a season where it’s lower for you.”
“Just take the pressure off yourself,” she added. “It’s okay to feel like garbage once in a while.”
Soon enough sunshine will come our way as not so far away is Yellow Day – June 20th – considered the happiest day of the year.
