January 21, was the 16th year for Bell's "Let's Talk Day". The day is identified as a way to come together to make mental health a priority. The annual awareness campaign and day is to help reduce stigma associated with mental health and to promote awareness and understanding. Break the silence and talk about it. Bell is investing $10 million in Canadian mental health initiatives, making a total of $194 million since 2010.
The third Monday of January is identified as "Blue Monday" or the most depressing day of the year. The "Monday Blues" is a day where someone experiences negative thoughts about Monday. It is a common feeling of unhappiness as people face the work week. This year Blue Monday was on January 19th. The weather that day had a real feel of -35 with the rest of the week even colder. It doesn't take long to get down when the frigid cold goes on for days.
I have heard that "Talk therapy" is the best therapy for mental health issues. Talk therapy is a communication-based method used to assess and treat mental health issues through structured conversations with a trained professional. Talk therapy can happen with anyone. We all have people we trust to listen and encourage us. Just talk about it!
I just read an incredible article on Facebook with some tips to help with depression. Depression is a common but serious mental illness. Winter can be tough for anyone, and it must be really hard if you deal with a diagnosis of depression. The suggestions are a good practice for anyone, but they may be just what you need to read if you are feeling down. I hope you find something to lead your way.
1. Shower. The article recommends just standing in a shower and letting the water run over your body. Sit on the floor if you need to. There is something to be said about hot water running over your body. The skin is the largest organ in your body, and it deserves to be clean so it can function at its best. I would encourage you to take it one step further and have a "mindful" moment. Think about how you feel once you are dry and your skin is all tingly.
2. Moisturize. Put it all over your body. This is an opportunity to get the blood flowing by giving yourself a mini massage.
3. Put on clean, comfortable clothes. Make sure to wear your favorite underwear.
4. Drink cold water. Use ice, mint or lemon whatever makes it go down.
I put ice in my water bottle for the gym or when I am traveling. It keeps the water cold for hours. I also use a cup with a straw in my home. It follows me everywhere, for some reason I find I drink more water from a straw.
5. Clean something. Start by organizing one drawer, wash the dishes, do a load of laundry. Take a before and after picture.
These pictures don't show a big difference. The difference is that I did it! I had been thinking of cleaning that cupboard for a very long time. It took only a few minutes to change my mood and create a sense of accomplishment.
Along with cleaning and organizing, I want to add, purge something. A Suze Orman quote spoke to me years ago, and I will always remember it. She said, "things need to be taken care of". I realized if I don't use something or I don't even have the lid off of container in a year, it is not worth the space it takes in my mind and my storage. I don't want to look after it anymore. Having too much "stuff" can become overwhelming.
6. Blast music. Listen to something upbeat that you want to dance to. Sing if you know the words or make them up.
7. Take time to make food. Prepare something, it tastes better and it will give you a feeling of accomplishment. Add something special such as a boiled egg, veggies or fruit. I have been served amazing oatmeal made with so many wonderful, tasty additions to it. Making an omelet is a time to make it your own with what is in the fridge. I often start my day with toast. I put it on a large plate and add an orange and often a cut banana. Some days it has eggs on it. I do feel accomplished that I have made a restaurant style plate for breakfast. I feel that I have spent time on myself, for at least one meal, and the rest of the meals can just fall together.
8. Make something. I hear so many people say they aren't talented. Who cares, make something. I just signed up for a class to make mitts out of sweaters. Commit to something.
9. Go outside. It is January, this could be challenging as the sidewalks and walking paths are icy. Going outside everyday even for a few minutes is healing. Feeling the cold air on your skin is another mindful moment.
10. Call someone. Call a person, we don't talk on the phone enough anymore. Talk to a stranger on the street. Send a text or email, interact with someone.
11. Cuddle your pets. Take pictures of them, talk to them.
"Duke" is one of the gym dogs. Duke is also a therapy dog. Duke ignores me as a rule. He would come to me to see if I brought treats and that is it. One day, he came to me and backed in to spend some time. I petted him and spoke to him and he hung out. He had other options, but I was his person at that moment. I told my trainer about it and he smiled and said, "we like to think he goes to people who need it at the time".
12. Find something to be grateful for.
Since September 2025, Brandon has had a "Crisis Response Unit". The police department is working with Prairie Mountain Health to respond to calls where people are experiencing a mental health crisis. Coverage is provided seven days a week. The goal is to de-escalate situations and provide clinical intervention. Two police officers and three mental health nurses work together to deal with the calls the police get that are actually mental health issues. It recognizes that people in crisis need support, not punishment. By having mental health supports at the time of a crisis can save lives. It is intended to help people that are falling through the cracks and is termed, "mental health first aid". It will enhance front-line responses and provide a wide range of supports that redirect people away from police intervention and decrease the number of visits to the ER.
Clearly January is a difficult month for those that suffer with depression or any other mental health diagnosis. I am hopeful that this post can give you a focus if you need something to help with your mood and be aware of what is available. Something is going wrong to have so many people with a mental health diagnosis. When it comes to any illness, we put our emphasis on the cure or a medication regime, mental health is no different. The cause of so many mental health diagnoses seem to get lost. Wouldn't it be amazing to have the resources to do preventative practice and focus on the reason for the diagnosis, and maybe, just maybe, there would be less mental health issues.
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