Today (17 January) is “Blue Monday”, the name given to the third Monday in January, and has been coined as the most depressing day of the year.
However, Chair of the National Young Members Forum and Lincolnshire member Jess McGuire wanted to remind us that depression is a serious condition that can affect people on any day.
Mental health is an issue that affects so many young people and is an issue that the National Young Members Forum regularly campaigns on. Very often, people will see me speak at conferences or stand in an election and say to me “you must be so confident”, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
When I was at school, my friends used to wait outside for me because I would have panic attacks about going in. I still suffer with anxiety and feel those same panics every time I get up to speak or go into a meeting, or even just get on a train to go to a conference. If you see me a few minutes before an event starts, you will see me anxious and trying to control my breathing, a technique I use now as a coping strategy. It’s something I’ve never talked about publicly but feel strongly that there needs to be a conversation about this within our union and within wider society.
Covid-19 has only increased mental health issues for young people as our members face burnout, stress, and anxiety while working on the front line. One of my close friends is a nurse and often tells me about the struggles she faces due to staff shortages, only increasing the amount of stress on her.
It was UNISON that helped me get my confidence back. They believed in me from day one of joining and I know I wouldn’t be the person I am today without their support. We think of unions as a safety net, a job protection scheme, for example, but they are much more than that. They have helped me in so many ways and I will always be grateful for that.
This Blue Monday, I think it’s important we continue to talk about mental health. According to the charity Mind, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England, with 1 in 6 reporting they experience a common mental health problem. I know this is something that UNISON feels passionate about and will always be there for any members who are experiencing mental health problems. There’s something we can all do today too, check in with your friends, ask them how they’re doing, and be there with a listening ear for them if they need it. It can make such a big difference.
Get information and support for your mental health from the NHS.
Visit the Mind website for information about depression support groups in your area.
If you’re a carer and affected by depression, ring the Carers Direct helpline on 0300 123 1053 to find out how to meet other carers.
Or you can ask your GP or your local psychological therapies team about depression support groups in your area.