The third Monday in January is known as Blue Monday, dubbed by some as the most depressing day of the year. In recent years along with Samaritans, the rail industry has looked to rename this day ‘Brew Monday’.

On 20 January, the industry rallied together in support of Brew Monday, with 158 station events being held across the country by more than 1000 Samaritans volunteers with the help of rail staff. Volunteers chatted to passengers and handed out free tea bags to encourage and engage the public to take time out to share the warmth and have a chat over a brew.

At Milton Keynes Central, the Central Suicide Prevention team organised volunteers from Network Rail, along with British Transport Police officers and Samaritans volunteers to hand out teabags and Brew Monday leaflets, specially created for the day, which encouraged passengers to take the time out to sit and chat with others about any of their concerns. Volunteers were present at the station from 07:30 until 15:00 and distributed over 800 promotional items to members of the public.

In collaboration with the Mental Health First Aiders, Health and Wellbeing team, Railway Mission and Million Hour Challenge, a Brew Monday bake sale was also held at The Quadrant to raise awareness of the event and fundraise for Samaritans.