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Statistics About The Most Depressing Day Of The Year

The most depressing day of the year, known as "Blue Monday," typically falls on the third Monday of January and is characterized by factors such as cold weather, post-holiday blues, and failed New Year's resolutions.

Last Updated: June 18, 2024

Written & Summarized by: Jannik Lindner

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In this post, we explore the phenomenon of Blue Monday, often dubbed as the most depressing day of the year. This concept, popularized in 2005, highlights various factors such as weather conditions, post-holiday debts, and failed resolutions contributing to a collective feeling of gloom. Despite criticism over its scientific validity, the discussion around Blue Monday continues to shed light on mental health challenges faced by many individuals, especially during the cold winter months. From studies on serotonin levels to global depression statistics, we delve into the multifaceted aspects surrounding this designated day of melancholy.

Statistic 1

"Blue Monday, often referred to as the most depressing day of the year, is typically the third Monday of January, calculated by a UK psychologist in 2005."

Statistic 2

"The term Blue Monday came into existence due to a press release from a company called Sky Travel, claiming they used an equation to calculate the gloomiest day of the year."

Statistic 3

"Factors contributing to Blue Monday include weather conditions, debt from holidays, time since Christmas, and failing New Year’s resolutions."

Statistic 4

"Blue Monday concept has been criticised as pseudoscience and efforts like Brew Monday encourage people to connect over a warm drink instead."

Statistic 5

"January 24th was selected as the most depressing day in 2005 due to factors like weather, debt, post-Christmas blues, etc."

Statistic 6

"When comparing searches for 'depression' in Google Trends, January consistently has more searches compared to other months."

Statistic 7

"A 2009 study found that levels of serotonin, a brain chemical thought to be associated with mood, are lowest in January."

Statistic 8

"A study showed that 17% of the UK population experience 'Sunday night fear' as a precursor to the working week."

Statistic 9

"Samaritans' Brew Monday campaign sees a significant increase in calls for help on Blue Monday."

Statistic 10

"A 2012 study suggests that depression rates actually drop in December and January."

Statistic 11

"40% of all work-related illness was due to stress, anxiety, and depression in 2012, contributing to Blue Monday feelings."

Statistic 12

"In 2019, 264 million people were reported to be suffering from depression globally."

Statistic 13

"The global COVID-19 pandemic could exacerbate Blue Mondays feelings, as isolation and anxiety levels increased substantially in 2020."

Statistic 14

"Mental health services in the UK saw a 20.6% rise in new referrals in 2020."

Statistic 15

"Around 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression globally."

Statistic 16

"Financial stress is a major factor in depression. In 2019, 72% of adults felt stressed about money at some point in the past month."

Statistic 17

"In 2019, only 43.3% of U.S adults with mental health conditions, including depression, received treatment the previous year."

Statistic 18

"The highest rate of depression is in adults aged 45 to 49 in the UK."

The statistics surrounding Blue Monday and depression paint a complex picture of factors that contribute to feelings of sadness and anxiety. While the concept of Blue Monday has been criticized, there is evidence to suggest that there are genuine psychological challenges faced by many individuals during the month of January. From weather conditions and holiday debt to biochemical factors like serotonin levels, the reasons behind January blues are multifaceted. The recent global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have likely worsened mental health issues, leading to increased referrals to mental health services. Financial stress and lack of access to treatment further compound the problem. It is evident that depression is a significant global issue that requires ongoing attention and support.