Supporting employee mental health this Blue Monday

Blue Monday, also commonly known as the ‘most depressing day of the year’, falls on the third Monday in January each year.

With the winter blues affecting 2 million people in the UK and key symptoms including depression, lethargy, overeating, and sleeping troubles, this time of year is an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health, especially in the workplace.

Andy Reid, Afghan war veteran and BrightHR ambassador, shares his top 5 tips for maintaining mental health:

• Communication is key – any issues you are having, whether that be anxiety or depression, talk to the people around you such as a work colleague or friend.
• Take time for yourself – do things you enjoy, for example going for a walk in the park
• Eat well – what we put into our body can help us mentally and physically, so eat healthily.
• Get plenty of rest – getting 8 hours of sleep can ensure the mind and body is fully rested, it’s important to let your mind switch off, especially from social media.
• Stay active – whether you that sweating it out, walk in nature or simply take a break from your screen at work, it’s important to keep your mind and body active in the winter months.

Alan Price is CEO at BrightHR. He says: “It’s reported that 1 in 6 workers are currently dealing with mental health problems, including anxiety, depression and stress. That’s why it’s important, as an employer, to focus on employee wellbeing, especially during the winter months. 

“Ensuring staff feel supported is essential, not only for their mental wellbeing, but it helps businesses to maintain employee engagement, retain staff, and minimise absenteeism.

“Providing extra resources around Blue Monday is always a good idea to help beat the January Blues. For example, encouraging staff to take regular breaks from their screens and get some fresh air helps boost mental health and increases productivity. 

“It’s also important that organisations are aware that often employees don’t always want to open up to their employees. That’s why it’s often a good idea to invest in an employee assistance programme (EAP), offering confidential support 24/7 with a trained expert, giving support to people whatever challenges they face.”