The B次元官网网址渕ost depressing day of the yearB次元官网网址� has arrived.

Blue Monday B次元官网网址� the third Monday in January B次元官网网址� is said to be bleak a day for many due to weather, post-holiday debt levels, failing new years resolutions, the stress of going back to work and the general lack of motivation some people experience after time off.

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B次元官网网址� Parks Canada (@ParksCanada)

But the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) debunked the B次元官网网址淏lue MondayB次元官网网址� myth, saying the formula used to determine this date as B次元官网网址渢he most depressingB次元官网网址� is based on pseudo-science conducted for a travel company.

That doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean Canadians are immune to winter blues B次元官网网址� they just might not always be caused by winter.

Sarah Hamid-Balma, director of mental health promotion for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) BC division, said even if B次元官网网址淏lue MondayB次元官网网址� isnB次元官网网址檛 real, itB次元官网网址檚 important to talk about mental health any time of the year.

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For those experiencing a low mood, Hamid-Balma says people should should look at their mental health history: B次元官网网址淚s it every winter? is there a pattern with that? Are there other things going on in your life that might explain the depression?B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important to note that depression can happen any time of year, and you can get depression in the winter that isnB次元官网网址檛 seasonal affective disorder (SAD) B次元官网网址� you might be going through major stress or loss or grief and itB次元官网网址檚 more coincidentally happening in this season.B次元官网网址�

In fact Hamid-Balma says SAD B次元官网网址� a form of depression associated with winter and autumn seasons and the lack of sunlight that comes with them B次元官网网址� is extremely rare.

SAD involves patterns of major depressive episodes that impact a personB次元官网网址檚 ability to do daily activities and often comes with symptoms of fatigue, weight changes and loss of interest in things a person typically enjoys.

B次元官网网址淢ost people think that itB次元官网网址檚 really common, but actually, only two to three per cent of people have the clinical definition of SAD where they need professional treatment,B次元官网网址� she said, adding that around fifteen per cent of people may find their mood impacted by long periods of rain or overcast weather.

B次元官网网址淏ut that still leaves more than 80 per cent of people who are doing okay.B次元官网网址�

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So how can people know if their low mood is a B次元官网网址渨inter blahB次元官网网址� or something more serious?

Hamid-Balma encourages people to get help at any time if they feel like they need it but says two weeks is generally a good test to find out how deep-rooted your low mood is.

B次元官网网址淲e all have bad weeks but if itB次元官网网址檚 not going away on its own and itB次元官网网址檚 impacting your ability to live your life then itB次元官网网址檚 worth checking out,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭wo weeks is a good measurement with the normal ups and downs of lifeB次元官网网址�B次元官网网址�

No matter your love or disdain for winter months, Hamid-Balma recommends exercise, social support and outdoor-time to strengthen mental health.

offers a number of resources for anyone with questions about mental health. has a hotline available 24/7 at 1-833-456-4566.

I'm going to say the same thing about as I do every year...

1) It's totally made up.
2) Mental health can affect you at anytime of year.
3) You deserve help if you're struggling - please just ask.
4) It may take time, but you can get better.

鉂わ笍

B次元官网网址� Ranj Singh (@DrRanj)