Turn Blue Monday into Brew Monday

Local health services are backing a national campaign to get people talking about anything that may be bothering them, turning ‘Blue Monday’ into ‘Brew Monday.’

Monday 20 January is traditionally the lowest day of the year for many with bills arriving after Christmas, dark nights and pay day yet to arrive, but the Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) is aiming to address that by encouraging everyone to take time out of their day and talk about their troubles over a cuppa.

It’s the fifth year of the Big Brew campaign, which will be marked by almost 200 organisations trying to get everyone talking so those that need help can access it and make positive steps towards a recovery.

Dr Ananta Dave, Medical Director at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said “We know that talking and asking for help is always the hardest step for those that need it for their mental health and wellbeing and we’re delighted to be part of the ‘Brew Monday’ campaign.

“We hope that by encouraging our colleagues and partners to get involved we can contribute to helping those that need help accessing services and play our part in helping to break down the stigma associated with mental illness.”

A spokesman for the ZSA added: “We’re delighted so many organisations are backing our national campaign to get the country talking over a cuppa. It’s only by talking to each other that we can really get help to those that need it and signpost them to the right services.

“For too long, mental health and suicide has been a taboo subject that was avoided in conversation but campaigns like ‘Brew Monday’ can help bring it to the forefront so we can really address the growing suicide problem in the UK.”

Over 6,500 suicides were recorded across the UK in 2018 with every one having a major impact both emotionally and socially on friends, relatives, work colleagues and the local economy.

The ZSA has also developed free online suicide prevention training, using the expertise of clinicians and the experience of those who have lived through suicide and uses real life scenarios to provide the skills to approach those in trouble.