why this “most depressing day of the year” is actually just a big scam

It would be the most depressing day of the year: “Blue Monday”. For around fifteen years, this concept has reappeared on social networks and in the media, depending on the gloomy geopolitical context. And in 2025, the “most depressing Monday of the year” falls this Monday January 15.

Based on (scientific?) calculations by a psychologist, this idea is in reality just pure marketing. Because it is in fact a product for commercial purposesremoved from real psychological problems.

Where does this concept come from?

Basically, “Blue Monday” is inspired by the English expression “to feel blue”, meaning “to be depressed”. At the origins of the most depressing day of the year, an advertising campaign for Sky Travela UK travel television channel. With the aim of getting people to travel (and pay) in winter, just to take their minds off things, and not just in summer.

There is even an author for this concept: Dr. Cliff Arnall, a so-called psychologist, and at the time, tutor to the Centre for Lifelong Learning attached to Cardiff University, Wales.

To support the concept that the third Monday in January is the most depressing day of the year, this has even been translated into a mathematical formula:

• [W = (D-d)] x TQ : I x Na.

The “W” for weather (weatherin English), “Dd” for spending money during the holidays, the “T” for the time since Christmas, the “Q” for the period since the beginning of the year resolutions. And, the “M” supposed to represent motivation and the “Na”, the need to act.

Why is this wrong?

You don’t need to have studied psychology to understand that this equation is false. This is an arithmetic farce. Factors are unquantifiable like the weather or lack of motivation.

Another argument, the author, who presents himself as a psychologist, himself admitted in 2010 that there was nothing scientific behind this calculation. It was an order for the television channel.

“It is disrespectful to those who suffer from real depression, because it implies that it is a temporary and minor experience, from which everyone suffers,” reacted in the columns of the Guardian Dean Burnett, neuroscience researcher.

This is confirmed by Michel Lejoyeux, head of the psychiatry and addictology department at Bichat hospital (in Paris), in an article in franceinfo. For him, “obviously, there is no scientific validation. No illness – depression being an illness like any other – experiences a peak on a given day during the year. It’s said.

In case of mental health problems, some useful numbers
• Youth Health Thread is intended for young people aged 12 to 25. It is also possible to call 0 800 235 236, an anonymous help number accessible every day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Nightline, a confidential and anonymous nighttime listening service (telephone or chat) run by students trained in active listening. Students can call from 9 p.m. to 2:20 a.m. and speak in French or English. Find your Nightline number by going to the site.
• SOS Friendship for people of all ages in psychological distress or those around them. A telephone hotline is available every day, 24 hours a day at 09 72 39 40 50. The call and service is free.

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