Blue Monday and Mental Health
Blue Monday
and
Mental Health
Lesson duration is: 30 minIntroduction
Items in this lesson
Blue Monday
and
Mental Health
Hello and welcome to the lesson on 'Blue Monday' and Mental Health.
What do you know already about Blue Monday/ the Winter blues?
A word cloud starter. Should open discussion - it's one of the main things TV and radio presenters keep going on about in January!!!
Understand what “Blue Monday” is and where it comes from.
Explore how mental health can be affected by seasons or life pressures — and what helps.
Lesson Objectives
The lesson objectives page.
Term first popularised in 2005 by travel firm + “psychologist” to pick a “sad day” in January. It was part PR, part marketing — not based on solid science.
What is 'Blue Monday?'
An information slide dispelling the myth of 'Blue Monday'.
What is 'Blue Monday?'
The idea: winter weather + debt + failed resolutions + post-Christmas gloom = a “most depressing day.”
An information slide dispelling the myth of 'Blue Monday'.
Some people are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or milder “winter blues.”
Seasonal Influences and 'Mental Health'
The reality rather than the myth on this information slide.
Shorter days, less daylight → changes in mood, sleep, energy.
Seasonal Influences and 'Mental Health'
And here!
External pressures: bills, broken resolutions, loneliness.
Seasonal Influences and 'Mental Health'
And here!
Blue Monday is scientifically proven to be the most depressing day of the year.
True
False
True or false quiz question just to reinforce that Blue Monday is a myth.
'Blue Monday' is a MYTH and was made up for marketing purposes!
The happy snowman knows the truth!
Why the Myth can be Harmful
It can trivialise serious depression (“it’s just one day”).
People might delay seeking help, thinking “it’ll pass after today.”
It reinforces the idea that emotions are determined by “the day” rather than by many factors.
But: recognising that January feels harder can open conversations about mental health.
Fill in the blanks exercise.
What strategies do you use to support wellbeing?
A word cloud to stimulate discussion.
Which of the following strategies is your favourite?
Get light / daylight exposure where possible.
Stay active, move, exercise — even short walks.Answer 2
Maintain sleep hygiene, good routines.
Connect with others — talk, social support.
Monitor mood over time — journaling, reflecting.
A poll to engender more discussion.
If symptoms persist seek professional help - don't suffer in silence
This is an incredibly important message to emphasise!
If you were to design a ‘Wellbeing Starter Pack’ for January, what 3 things would you include and why?
This open question is intended as group or pair work.
What small change might you try this week to support your mood?
An open question.
Recap
Blue Monday is a myth — a PR/marketing concept, not evidence-based
Seasonal effects and life pressures can really affect mood in January
Mental health is year-round; mood dips don’t obey the calendar
There are strategies to help — light, movement, connection, balance, help-seeking
A fill in the blanks recap.
Key Terms
Blue Monday — the idea of the most depressing day in January (myth)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) — a type of depression tied to seasonal changes
Winter blues — mild mood dip in winter, less severe than SAD
Wellbeing strategies — actions to support mental health
Key terms 'fill in the blanks'
Name one reason Blue Monday is considered a myth
You may not need this open question as an exit ticket it may depend on your group.
How did this lesson change your view of 'Blue Monday'?
Hopefully everyone will realise it's a myth and needs to be 'constructively deconstructed'. Mental health problems are real. Blue Monday isn't!
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