Employees struggle with Mondays

Mind

Today Mind, the mental health charity, released new research showing two thirds 66% of those in the North East experience ‘Sunday Blues’, anxiety triggered by thoughts of work the following day. New statistics come as Mind prepares for the UK’s newest, and happiest, national fundraising day Happy Monday on 10 March.

The poll, of more than 700 full time workers in the UK, found a sixth of those working in the North West (18%) don’t like their job. Half (51%) of those employed in the area hate Mondays, with a quarter saying that they don’t like their boss.

Specifically to combat worry that builds up as the weekend comes to a close, half of North Western dwellers (49%) eat comfort food and a quarter give themselves a pep talk on a Sunday night. A quarter (27%) sited drinking alcohol at home on a Sunday night while more than one in 10 go out drinking with friends.

A quarter admit they’ve made an excuse not to go into work on the first day of the week, up to five times in the last year. Excuses include feigning illness (32%), claiming a home-emergency such as a burst pipe (17%), or pretending there had been disruptions to public transport (19%).

Two thirds of those working in the North West struggle to get up in the morning, hitting the snooze button between two and three times.

Mind’s poll, carried out by Populus, also revealed that in the North West:

• 41% of full time employees find Monday the most stressful day of the week
• 13% don’t like getting up for work on Mondays as know colleagues will be grumpy and it gets them down
• Of those who make it to work on a Monday, 1 in 10 spend two hours on social media or personal emails

Mind’s first Happy Monday takes place on 10 March. The event encourages people to have fun on the week’s least popular day – by hosting their own fundraising events and spending quality time with family, friends and colleagues. Money raised will help Mind to continue to provide vital services so people experiencing a mental health problem have somewhere to turn for advice and support.

Star baker and winner of The Great British Bake Off 2012, John Whaite, will be taking over the Mind Twitter account for a special Q&A on Monday 17 February from 4:30pm. As well as answering questions about all things baking, John will also answer questions about his own depression – and explains why spending time in the kitchen helps him.

Mr Whaite said: “You don’t have to be an events expert to hold a fundraiser. You can do anything – a collection at work or a dress down day. Of course I’m going to say that you can hold a bake sale! Whatever you do, have fun with it, get your friends, family and colleagues involved and raise lots of money for Mind!”

Stephen Fry, President of Mind, has shared his favourite Honey Bun recipe to inspire those holding a cake sale: “I’m hoping the kind people of Britain will roll up their sleeves on March 10th, for Mind’s inaugural Happy Monday. It’s a delightful excuse to spend time with friends and loved ones, or to tempt colleagues away from their desks, to raise vital funds for the 1 in 4 people who experience a mental health problem every year.

“I’ve been inspired to dust off my favourite Honey Buns recipe for Happy Monday and have every faith in the creativity of Mind supporters, to come up with their very own ways to brighten their Monday and raise money for this incredibly good cause.”

People can visit www.mind.org.uk/happymonday to register for a free fundraising pack and inspirational tips. People can do absolutely anything: from pamper nights and coffee mornings to cake sales and dress-up days at work. Money raised for Mind will help the charity to be there so that no one has to face a mental health problem alone.