Referred to as the single glummest day of the year, people feeling down or struggling with their mental health on Blue Monday on 21 January can access support from Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust Wellbeing and Mental Health Helpline.

The third Monday of January is dubbed ‘Blue Monday’ due to a combination of post-Christmas blues, cold dark nights and the arrival of unpaid credit card bills. This is a day that reminds us that Christmas is over, our finances are low and the weather is getting colder, and a time when people are most likely to experience anxiety, low mood and distress.

With this in mind the Trust’s Wellbeing and Mental Health Helpline is encouraging people who may be struggling or just need someone to talk to, to get in touch for support. The helpline provides a listening ear for people across Lancashire who may be feeling lonely, stressed or experiencing mental health problems. The helpline volunteers offer emotional support for anyone experiencing distress and we support our callers by using our listening skills to enable them to make their own choices about how their health care needs may be met.

Lorraine Khalaf, Wellbeing and Mental Health Helpline Manager at Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust said:

“January can be a difficult month with the aftermath of the festive period taking its toll people both emotionally and financially. People can also often find it hard to open up and taking the first move to get support can at times seem impossible. If you are concerned about the way you are feeling or just need someone to talk to please get in touch with us on 0800 915 4640.

“The helpline is here to provide a confidential listening and emotional support line to those who are concerned about their own mental health, or that of someone they know. We also provide general help for people who are having difficulty in maintaining their own wellbeing.”

The helpline is open Monday to Friday 7pm to 11pm and Saturday and Sunday 12 midday to 12 midnight. For more information about the Wellbeing and Mental Health Helpline, please call them on 0800 915 4640 or visit www.lancashirecare.nhs.uk/Mental-Health-Helpline.