MANY of us are still suffering a monetary hangover post-Christmas, ploughing through the withdrawal of Dry January, or just sat suffering from what probably feels like the worst cold we've have ever had.

All of these things and more, are what make today, the third Monday in January, Blue Monday – what some consider to be the most depressing day of the year.

Oxfordshire mental health charities, meanwhile, are challenging the idea that depression only strikes on one day and should be treated as an enduring issue.

Mackenzie Dancer of Cowley-based mental health charity Restore said that although there were positives about spreading awareness mental health was a much bigger issue.

She said: “I think the day is a great way of bringing awareness for mental health in general. As a campaign it is better in terms of not seeing it as just one Monday in the year being depressed, it is more than that.

“Something like 10 million adults will suffer from a mental health illness which is just staggering."

She said that funding cuts locally had been a challenge for not only her organisation but charities across the county.

“It’s difficult,” she said. “It has been tough and we have seen an increase of 55 per cent in the last three years in referrals.

“But then you can look at it in terms of the stigma reducing, so more people are feeling able to come forward.

“It’s a difficult time, it is always going to be a difficult time but the public are getting behind it more than they have ever done before.”

The idea that there is a surge in mental health sufferers in January was not one she shared and argued that in fact it could be an extremely positive time of year for many.

She said: “It’s actually a great time of year, with New Year’s resolutions and fundraising, to start setting your own goals and start thinking of doing something great.”

Fellow mental health charity Oxfordshire Mind also challenged the conception of Blue Monday and argued that there is no basis in scientific fact, going so far as to call it a ‘dangerous’ title.

Spokesperson Amelia Jones said: “The third Monday in January is often labelled ‘the most depressing day of the year’, so-called Blue Monday.

“The concept has no foundation in scientific research and we think it’s dangerously misleading.

“Those of us who live with depression know that those feelings aren’t dictated by the date.

“Implying that they are perpetuates the myth that depression is just ’feeling a bit down’, something that doesn’t need to be taken seriously.”

Meanwhile, a month-long campaign to beat the January blues was launched at Banbury and Bicester College last week, aimed at keeping students’ spirits high.

The college will carry out events and activities to bolster the mood of its students.

It marked the launch of its high spirits campaign with a talk from motivational speaker and entrepreneur Kayode Damali on January 9.

What have you done to stave off the January blues this Blue Monday? Get in touch and let us know.