Let's turn Blue Monday into a brighter colour

Blue Monday — the third Monday in January — is said to be one of the most depressing days of the year.

Theories from across the world say that this is because it’s one of the coldest times of the year, we are still recovering from financial strain after the Christmas holidays, and we’re struggling to keep up with our New Year’s resolutions that seemed a heck of a lot easier three weeks earlier.

Throw in a global pandemic, and this may be one of the darkest Blue Monday’s that has been seen in a while.

However, just because the world is telling you it’s Blue Monday, doesn’t mean we need to be blue! There’s plenty of resources out there that can help you through the cold winter months — I know I’ve used numerous resources on the list below before, and there is no shame in doing so.

• Crisis Services Canada
  • Call: 1-833-456-4566
  • Text: 45645
• Centre For Suicide Prevention
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention
• Mental Health Line
  • Call: 211
• Kids Help Phone
  • Call: 1-800-668-6868
• The Do More Agriculture Foundation

Reaching out to help lines can sometimes be daunting, and I get that. I’ve had the terrific opportunity to hear from “everyday” farmers, who have faced and overcome some real struggles, in some of the interviews I’ve conducted. I’ve included them, as well as some pieces I’ve written in the past tackling mental health, below:

• 10 ways to help manage the winter blues
• Jerseys, Johne’s, log houses, and mental wellness — a LIVE! with Ethan Wallace
• Niche markets, AFS, and developing agriculture in Kenya — a LIVE! with Stewart Skinner
• We need to keep talking, even if we’re burnt out: a conversation on mental health
• It’s tough right now. But guess what? That’s okay.
• We’re living through unprecedented times — you’re doing the best you can
• Celebrating the everyday goodness in a very negative world

And for a little extra brightness in your day, check out this playlist I made for harvest, but in all honesty, can be listened to whenever you need a mood booster:

• A harvest season playlist for whatever your mood

And don’t forget to reach out — we may as well go through this all together.