Every January, the phrase ‘Blue Monday’ rears its head
However, this is a pseudo-scientific idea that the third Monday of the month is the most depressing day of the year. While it makes for good headlines, it does little for our collective mental health and can trivialise the genuine struggles people face year-round. As leaders, we have a responsibility to foster a culture of support and resilience, not one tied to marketing gimmicks.
Let’s imagine an employee hears the term ‘Blue Monday’ and feels their struggles are invalidated because they’ve been feeling low for weeks, not just today. Now contrast this with a workplace where leaders focus on ongoing support. A manager notices this employee is quieter than usual and takes time to check in, offering them the space to talk and access to practical resources. That’s the kind of meaningful action that actually makes a difference.
A 2024 report by Mental Health Foundation debunked the ‘Blue Monday’ myth
It stated that meaningful mental health support needs to be proactive and year-round. Organisations that implemented regular wellbeing check-ins saw a 30% reduction in absenteeism and a marked improvement in employee engagement.
How can we lead better without relying on myths?
- Focus on Year-Round Wellbeing: Build regular check-ins into your calendar and create an environment where people feel safe discussing their mental health any day of the year.
- Challenge the Narrative: Use days like ‘Blue Monday’ to have meaningful conversations about mental health myths and facts. Lead by example in rejecting oversimplified narratives.
- Provide Tools, Not Tropes: Equip your team with real resources, like access to counselling, wellbeing apps, or stress management workshops – that offer practical support.
- Celebrate Positivity: Reframe the narrative by encouraging teams to share what’s going well. Highlight achievements, no matter how small, to keep morale high during the darker months.
- Be a Beacon of Consistency: Your team needs to know they can rely on you for support every day, not just when society decides to label a day as ‘blue.’
Let’s talk…
How do you create a culture of genuine, year-round support in your workplace? Or, what’s one myth about mental health you’d like to see busted? Let’s challenge the narrative and lead with authenticity – share your thoughts below!
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