On the third Monday of January, Samaritans take over what is dubbed by the media as “Blue Monday” and celebrate “Brew Monday”.
This Monday 16th January was the sixth Brew Monday, and all around Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, and Craven we encouraged people to have a cuppa and a catch up.
The term, Blue Monday, was coined in 2005 by a travel company to sell holidays, but over the years it has ingrained itself in society as a real thing. The Samaritans saw that instead of being insightful or reflective of reality, the focus on one day in January perpetuated unhelpful perceptions of mental health.
Volunteer Helen giving out our special Brew Monday packs at train stations
We know that feeling low doesn’t have anything to do with a single day in winter, even if the credit card bills are in, the days are dark, and we are back at work after the holidays. Struggling with our mental and emotional health is more complicated than that and can affect anyone at any time for many different reasons, and sometimes for no reason at all.
On Brew Monday, and in the run-up to it, Samaritans raise awareness of the importance of checking in with family, friends, and colleagues by offering a cup of tea and a chat. And not just on Brew Monday, but all through the year.
Patricia & Alan man our pop-up Brew Monday stall at Rawtenstall Market
This year, our volunteers greeted commuters at Skipton Railway Station and at Burnley Manchester Road Railway Station handing out teabags and biscuits, and offering a friendly hello.
We also had a stall over the weekend at Rawtenstall Market, where volunteers gave out Brew Monday packs to anyone who wanted to host their own Brew Monday activity.
Euravia Engineering workers get together for a cuppa & a chat
Carlston Filtration workers having a catch-up
Our good friends at Sandylands Leisure Centre held their own Brew Monday Event, as did our great supporters at Euravia Engineering in Kelbrook and Carlson Filtration in Barnoldswick. We’re really thankful to everyone who joined in and raised awareness of the importance of talking.
All over Twitter, the hashtag #BrewMonday was alive and kicking with hundreds of Samaritans branches, businesses, charities, public service providers posting positive content showing the benefits of reaching out to the people around us.
We also appeared in the Craven Herald!
Sandylands Leisure Centre enjoy a well-deserved cuppa on us
If you’re not sure how to start a conversation and help someone open up, try the Samaritans’ ‘SHUSH’ listening tips:
S
Show you care.
Focus on the other person, make eye contact, and put away your phone.
H
Have patience.
It may take time and several attempts before a person is ready to open up.
U
Use open questions.
Ones that need more than a yes/no answer, and follow up with questions like 'Tell me more'.
S
Say it back.
Check you’ve understood, but don’t interrupt or offer a solution.
H
Have courage.
Don’t be put off by a negative response and, most importantly, don’t feel you have to fill a silence.
If you ever need to talk, we are always here to listen.
Find out how you can contact us here