The weather is rubbish, evenings are dark and nobody has any money – It’s no surprise then that today (January 21) is the most depressing day of the year.

While Blue Monday might just be another day to add to the never ending list of significant new days there seem to be, therapist Sarah Bateup thinks it’s a good thing if it gets people talking about mental health.

Sarah is the clinical lead of Leso Digital Health, an online service offering cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

She has been working in the world of mental health for more than 30 years, starting out as a psychiatric nurse aged 18.

We spoke to her about Blue Monday – what does it mean and why does it happen?

“I don’t know who invented it but there is a sort of seasonal dip,” she said.

“It’s cold weather, darker and you’ve spent all your money.

“We do tend to name things and that’s not a bad thing.

“Blue Monday brings mental health issues into the forefront.

“It is going to make some people think a bit more and encourages people to get help – That is a good thing.”

How does Ieso work?

The service is one of two online therapy services that have been commissioned by Merton CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) until at least April.

Sarah tells us that appointments can be booked any time of day seven days a week and it is even possible to get same day appointments.

It is a long way from traditional therapy – There’s no sitting in room facing a therapist and no talking.

Everything is done online, typing back and forth – And the results are the same as traditional CBT Sarah stresses.

“We know that the results are absolutely identical, people have an identical chance of getting better,” she said.

“Some patients are getting a better chance of getting better because some people would never dream of going to their GP and then turning up to a mental health centre.

“Some people would just think ‘that is not an option for me’.

“People can refer themselves to out services and sign up online – We know who they are and who their GP is.”

It is not just the ease of the service that works – According to the therapist people say get to the things on their mind a lot quicker.

“People tend to tell their therapist things more quickly,” she said.

“Even when I am working really well with someone [face to face] it might be the third session before they say ‘I’m having problems getting erections’.

“They are worried about what you will think.”

She added that online people are more likely go straight into issues that they are facing.

So, what can we do to make this time of year a little bit easier?

Top of Sarah’s list is getting advice and talking to somebody you can trust. 

“I think we can all get a bit better at talking about our mental health,” she said.

“We talk about our colds and coughs and nobody minds saying ‘I have a sore throat’.

“But people don’t tend to say ‘I’m feeling a bit down actually’.”

Sarah said at this time of year we tend  to do a bit less, whether that be exercising or just taking time out to relax.

“Typically most of us restrict our activity level,” she said.

“I would suggest asking what have you done recently that you have enjoyed, made you physically active or made you feel really chilled out and relaxed.”

If the answer in nothing she suggests making a bit of time to fit something in.