The weather’s terrible, the holidays are over, we’re back at work, hugely in debt and, oh, Trump’s about to take office. Yes it’s a pretty depressing time. But it’s going to get even worse on Monday …
The third Monday in January has become widely known as “Blue Monday” and is reckoned to be the most depressing day of the year when motivation levels are at their lowest and suicidal thoughts at their highest.
But help is at hand to banish the blues on Jan. 16 – or any other time.
If you are feeling depressed, then talking to a friend, family member, medical professional or some other caring individual is essential.
That is one recommendation of Beverly Hills-based psychologist Dr Sharon Gardner who tells ENTITY, “Talk to a compassionate listener, someone empathetic and kind who can explore possible options to resolve whatever is troubling you. Sigmund Freud called this the ‘talking cure.’ Of course, medication may be needed in some cases for talking to be a cure.”
Blue Monday, which is dominating social media discussions, highlights the extent of depression out there in the world, as do suicide statistics.
Suicide claims 30,000 lives in America alone each year and is the second leading cause of death among young people, according to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
“You are NEVER alone. Studies show talking about suicide actually decreases someone’s risk of harming themselves,” said Vicky Petela-Pollitz, who volunteers at a leading suicide hotline, which she won’t name for confidentiality reasons.
ENTITY spoke to Vicky, who is also special adviser to upcoming suicide-themed movie “Sonnet,” to get her six tips on how to banish the blues on Blue Monday or any other day.
How do you feel? Why do you feel that way? Did something happen today to trigger it? Accept that you feel sad or lonely. Burying feelings or ignoring them only makes things worse.
You are allowed to feel the way that you feel. It is ok to be sad sometimes it to feel hopeless sometimes.
Find a friend or family member, a counselor, a therapist or call a suicide hotline. Most suicide phone lines are open 24/7 and they field millions of calls each year. They genuinely care about you and are there to help.
READ MORE: How to Offer Support to a Mentally Ill Friend or Family Member
Go outside, take a walk, move to another room. Take a break. Get some fresh air. Eat something. Have you drunk water today?
Watch a movie? Phone a friend? Listen to music? What have you done before that made you feel better? What could you do right now?
Contact an organisation, therapist or medical professional who can give you ongoing help with how you are feeling. You are not alone.
Vicky added, “I came aboard the new movie ‘Sonnet’ as an adviser, because I support talking openly about suicide. Suicide awareness is a key part of reducing suicidality.”
Charlotte Rothwell, the crowdfunded film’s writer, co-producer and star, told ENTITY, “It is imperative that we have an open dialogue about suicide within society, so that people having suicidal thoughts know that they aren’t alone.”
Her movie is about people trying to find a reason to live after traumatic experiences.
READ MORE: 6 Celebs Speaking out Against the Stigma of Mental Illness
Charlotte added, “Suicide claims approximately 30,000 lives in America alone each year, which is heartbreaking. I felt compelled to tell the story of my character, Juliet, following the recent presidential election, where so many incredibly courageous women spoke out about their experiences with sexual abuse and how it had affected them long-term. It is my goal that through ‘Sonnet,’ we can spread a message of hope, unity and inner strength that sometimes we don’t realize we have within ourselves.”
With #BlueMonday quickly approaching, please take time, look for the signs & check in with friends. #starttheconvo #depression #BellLetsTalk pic.twitter.com/Loq8aGsPHW
— Jenn A ? (@TheJennJam) January 13, 2017
