16 January 2023

Today is Blue Monday, which is thought to be the most difficult day of the year but this is just a myth. We can all experience good and bad days anytime – good mental health matters every day of the year.

As such, CNWL is supporting Brew Monday – a day to help us to remember that the simple act of reaching out could help someone who is lonely, isolated and struggling with their mental health and that this is something that we could do any day of the year.

Brew Monday is an opportunity for us to contact someone who might need us, to make a brew or a coffee and to sit down, listen to and connect with someone we care about.

You could:

  • Make your colleague a ‘brew’, ask how they are and let them know how much you value working with them or pick up the phone to a colleague that you haven’t seen recently due to working from home or because of illness and ask how they are. This gesture could make such a difference.
  • Contact that person who is on your mind, the person you have been meaning to call, it may be a friend or family member, call and check that they are okay and let them know that they are not alone.

As part of Brew Monday, you can support our Let’s get talking campaign.

Stigma continues to prevent us from being able to express how we are feeling and from reaching out for help and support, it surrounds us with silence. There continues to be so many myths that surround us today, for example we shouldn’t ask someone if they are feeling suicidal as this will put the ‘thought’ in their head-we know that this is not the case, or to ask for help is to be perceived as ’weak’. Together, we need to change that.

We launched the Trust’s Suicide Prevention Strategy on 30 November 2022 with the theme:’ Let’s get talking…’ to raise awareness of the need to reach out and connect with those who may be struggling. We want to continue to spread this important message throughout 2023, look out for information soon about getting involved in running a ‘Let’s get talking’ event for your service or team.

CNWL staff can use Trustnet to access further resources, guidance and information in relation to suicide prevention.