By Shaun Penner

Blue Monday doesn’t work for professionals: mental health experts

Jan 15, 2019 | 11:00 AM

Blue Monday, which to some may be known as the most depressing day of the year, is coming up on Monday, January 21st. But according to mental health experts, the idea of a “Blue Monday” doesn’t really work.

Executive Assistant Shane Anderson of the Suicide Prevention Resource Centre says that though he is happy it gets people talking about the stigma of depression and suicide, the issue doesn’t peak at any one day.

“There is nothing that goes along with the idea of a Blue Monday. Yes, it’s a couple of weeks after Christmas and everyone has gotten their credit card bill. But it is not an actual day that we recognize.”

In the Grande Prairie area specifically, Anderson notes their centre sees more of a spike in activity when there is a downturn in the economy.

“If we look back at 2008-2009, then again in 2015 it really, really spiked.  Suicides in Alberta and Grande Prairie were really high.”

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Anderson also points out that the struggles in the oil and gas industry have caught the attention of the resource centre as we begin 2019.

“Seeing what is being splashed around on the news, it is a concern. We have a couple of programs that are designed for people in the trades industry, and we want the community to know that we have resources, right here in town for them.”

One program specifically that the SPRC has started is the Tough Enough to Talk About program, which was created back in 1999, after statistics identified that a high percentage of suicide deaths in northern Alberta occurred in industry, trades and agriculture. The program offers workplace presentations and workshops for mental health problems, how to ask about those issues, and how to arrange for help.

“The idea behind it is especially for guys. Letting them know that it is okay to talk about mental health, and that if you have a problem, reach out.”

Other programs that the SPRC offers is a breakfast club for youth, and a men’s support group that meets Wednesday night, from 7-9 PM at the SPRC Office.

Anderson says that the community has been great in helping get the SPRC’s message out there, but there is still a long-ways to go to end the stigma associated with suicide.

“It still has that stigma that no one wants to talk about. Getting our name out into the community is helping us break down that barrier.”

The Suicide Prevention Resource Centre can be contacted at 780-539-6680. If you are in a crisis, Alberta Health Services offers a Mental health Crisis Line, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-877-303-2642.

A full list of programs available through the SPRC can be found here.