Towergate urges employers to support mental health all year, not just Blue Monday

Employers should view Blue Monday as a prompt to take action to support employees’ mental health throughout the entire year, according to Debra Clark, head of wellbeing at Towergate Employee Benefits.

Clark said: “Employers should see Blue Monday as the day to take action to support employees for the whole of the rest of the year, not the one day of the year to offer additional support.”

Blue Monday, which is said to be the most depressing day of the year, is calculated using a formula that takes into account the weather, debt levels, time since holidays, and failed resolutions.

However, Towergate Employee Benefits highlighted that these and other factors can occur at any time and may lead to mental health challenges throughout the year.

The firm urged employers to provide consistent and ongoing support for employee mental health as part of their broader wellbeing strategies.

Employers were advised to review what mental health support they currently have in place.

At a minimum, they should offer an employee assistance programme, which is often included within other benefits.

Clark recommended that employers check thoroughly to identify what resources may already be available.