January gets some bad press; post-Christmas bills, failed fitness programmes, broken New Year’s resolutions, cold weather and ‘Blue Monday’, the day dubbed the most depressing of the year, which falls on 16 January in 2017.

The advice from Samaritans Isle of Man is to ignore Blue Monday and remember that if things are getting tough and you are finding it hard to cope, there’s someone there to listen at any time on any day of the year.

Gill Porter, Director of Samaritans Isle of Man, said: ‘Health, work, relationships and money issues, or feelings of loneliness, isolation or uncertainty, could be making life really tough, even more so in a New Year. So whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, or you know someone who is, please call us to talk through what’s on your mind.’

Samaritans has volunteers available to speak all day, every day. The number is 116 123 and it is free to call.

If you’re looking to make a difference in 2017, why not support Samaritans to help keep the life-saving services going through volunteering or making a donation. Samaritans Isle of Man will be holding information sessions on the 19 January and 2 February. For more information please visit http://www.samaritans.org/branches/samaritans-isle-man.