Scotland’s railway is supporting Samaritans campaign to spread the message that there is no such thing as the saddest day of the year, the so-called ‘Blue Monday’ on the third Monday of January.

Network Rail has joined the charity to support its annual Brew Monday campaign, which encourages staff and the public to have a cuppa and a chat. The Samaritans want to downplay the idea that the third Monday of January is worse than any other day, since its listening volunteers are busy every day of the year and respond to a call for help every 10 seconds.

The Samaritans plan to turn Blue Monday into something meaningful with a more uplifting ‘Brew Monday’, which is intended to encourage friends and family to stay connected by having a cuppa and a catch-up.

To mark the day and raise awareness of Brew Monday, ScotRail staff will join Samaritans volunteers at both Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley stations between 8am and 2pm on Monday, 16th January to hand out teabags and chat to passengers about the power of connecting over a cuppa.

The Brew Monday support is part of the wider rail industry’s suicide prevention programme and its partnership with Network Rail. For more than ten years Samaritans has worked in partnership with the rail industry and British Transport Police (BTP) to reduce suicides on the railway. In that time the charity has trained over 26,000 rail and BTP staff to look out for passengers, and if they feel someone might be vulnerable to make conversation with them.

Samaritans are helping to organise Brew Monday get togethers by providing useful resources, fundraising tips, and information. All these are available online at www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/brew-monday/

Anyone can contact Samaritans at any time and free of charge from any phone on 116 12, online at www.samaritans.org, or by email at [email protected]

Liam Sumpter, Route Director of Scotland‘s Railway said: “We’re really proud to be supporting Samaritans’ Brew Monday campaign again this year and spreading this important message to our passengers and staff.

“Samaritans has worked in partnership with Network Rail and the wider rail industry since 2010, encouraging the public and our staff to recognise the power of human connection and start a conversation which could save a life. So, we’re putting that into practice and helping to bust the Blue Monday myth over a brew.”

Shona Gibbs, Acting Head of Rail at Samaritans, said: “We’re so grateful to the rail industry for their support of Brew Monday again this year. At Samaritans we know there is no such thing as Blue Monday and people can feel low at any point of the week or year.

£We want everyone to know that you are never alone and encouraging them to check in with people they care about for a cuppa and a chat as talking can save lives. Our volunteers are available around the clock to listen to anyone who needs support this Brew Monday and every other day of the year, 24/7.”