Brew Monday and Blue Week: Beating the Blues Together

What is Brew Monday?

Brew Monday is an annual initiative launched by Samaritans to counteract the January Blues, particularly on the third Monday of January, often dubbed the most "depressing day" of the year. It encourages people to come together over a cup of tea or coffee (that is why the term “Brew”), fostering connection, combating loneliness, and offering support during what can be a challenging time of year.

For students, January is particularly tough with the return to university, the end of the Christmas holidays, exams, and bad weather. Brew Monday serves as a moment to pause, connect, and support one another.

What is Blue Week?

Blue Week extends this spirit throughout the week, promoting mental health awareness and self-care. It focuses on:

• Mental Health Awareness: Reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations about mental well-being.
• Building Connections: Fostering kindness and community by encouraging people to check in on others.
• Self-Care: Highlighting the importance of physical activity, mindfulness, and rest as part of self-care.
• Seasonal Awareness: Recognising the impact of shorter days, cold weather, and post-holiday stress on mental health, including Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

For anyone needing support, resources such as the Student Wellbeing Service, Samaritans, and Kooth are available to provide help and guidance.