How does it feel? Music Therapy and the myth of Blue Monday
- Jan 21, 2019
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 22, 2019
Not just arguably the most iconic drumbeat of all time, the name Blue Monday has in recent years been ascribed to the third Monday in January as the most “depressed” Monday of the year. This year, the unfortunate title falls today, on Monday 21st January.
So why the name? Blue Monday was coined in 2005 by Dr. Cliff Arnall who wrote a press release for Sky Travel claiming he had worked out the level of general public depression on this particular Monday in the year using an algebraic formula.
Unfortunately for Dr. Arnall, his concept has since been debunked. The mental health charity Mind created a well-publicised campaign to change the name Blue Monday to #blueanyday. They said it had the potential to trivialise the concerns of people living with depression, experiencing symptoms everyday.
Alice* came to music therapy for a six-month period after reporting feelings of a low mood and not feeling motivated to complete everyday tasks. She liked the idea of using musical instruments to express herself creatively - she liked to paint in her spare time and was in touch with her creative side - but didn’t know how to play any of the musical instruments available during music therapy.
Coming to sessions and tentatively making sounds on the piano and percussion, Alice found an affinity with the xylophone, improvising patterns of sound but leaving long pauses between notes. It created a sense of the isolation she felt and the difficulty she expressed verbally in making sounds, making an impact outside of the therapy room.
It was not her therapist’s job to simply “fill in the gaps”. By listening carefully, her therapist could respond in a complementary way, both musically and emotionally: musically, Alice could hear that her therapist had found the pulse of Alice’s play and that the harmony of their notes for the most part fit together, creating the emotional effect for Alice that she was heard and understood. These small meetings inside the music meant Alice was able to talk in more depth about the roots of her depressive feelings between pieces.
Using music and words was the key that meant Alice could unlock her feelings. At the end of her time in music therapy, she expressed feelings of greater confidence and a deeper understanding of the emotional side of herself: “I feel like I can take on much more now and it won’t overwhelm me anything like it used to.”
North London Music Therapy specialises in treating people with depression or anxiety. Music Therapy is a psychological intervention that helps with:
- Self-awareness
- Emotional expression and understanding
- Confidence
- Managing anxiety and stress
- Understanding, developing and strengthening relationships
As a method which bypasses language (although verbal reflection is an important part of the work too), it provides the opportunity for someone to express themselves creatively without having to find the right words. For someone with depression, this is an invaluable tool.
To find out more about how Music Therapy can help you or someone you know, contact North London Music Therapy here.
*All names and identifying details have been changed
If you are comparing study pathways, understanding is a diploma a degree can help you make informed decisions about future education opportunities. Both qualifications can contribute to career growth depending on the field and level of study chosen. The College of Contract Management supports learners through accessible online programmes and educational resources tailored for school leavers and professionals across different industries.
interesting Post
This is a thoughtful discussion that challenges the idea of Blue Monday and highlights how oversimplified labels can sometimes overlook the complexity of mental health. It’s important to recognize that emotional well-being is influenced by many personal and social factors, and not just a single date or formula. The example of music therapy also shows how creative expression can support emotional healing in meaningful ways. In a similar way, a masters level course helper can guide students in critically analyzing psychological and social concepts at a deeper level, helping them connect theory with real-world human experiences.
Looking at how organizations maintain consistency reveals the importance of strong leadership structures. The concept of level 7 strategic management and leadership ensures that strategies remain aligned with objectives. Leaders must monitor progress and make adjustments when necessary. This supports continuous improvement. The College of Contract Management provides insights into these systems. This adds depth.
This was a well-written and meaningful post. I appreciate how the author highlighted simple daily experiences and turned them into insightful reflections. Writing like this shows that even ordinary moments can offer valuable lessons. As a student managing coursework and deadlines, reading thoughtful blogs like this provides a relaxing and inspiring break. Many learners also look for help with marketing assignments when dealing with complex topics or case studies. Content like this reminds readers that learning doesn’t always happen only in classrooms but also through reflection and observation.