How CBC Toronto Employees Helped to ‘Beat Blue Monday’

by: Roselin Leonard, Internal & External Relationships Manager

Monday, January 15, 2018 (the third Monday in January) marked what’s come to be known as Blue Monday, also known as “the most depressing day of the year”. A time when the impact of holiday spending, frigid temperatures, and long carb-loaded days laden with low motivation hits hard.

While the theory behind Blue Monday has yet to be scientifically proven, symptoms of the winter blues feel undeniable for many of us. According to CAMH British Columbia, 2-3% of Canadians will experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D) in their lifetime. This makes up about 10% of all depression cases.

When Kai Black, Executive Producer at CBC Music in Toronto, heard about the Blue Monday phenomena, he knew it was a great starting point for a discussion about mental wellness at CBC. He envisioned an event that would raise mental health awareness and offer valuable resources to help counteract the effects of Blue Monday. Once his vision was realized, the wheels of action were set in motion.

Kai engaged CBC Toronto’s abilicrew –an amazing ‘Employee Resource Group’ for CBC employees with disabilities and their allies– to create something great. Let’s just say, they did not disappoint. The team transformed Kai’s idea into ‘Beat Blue Monday’, now an annual event.

The event today rose out of a need to communicate to staff that this is not just the saddest day of the year, but it’s a good day to find out how you can deal with your own sadness at this time.” – Kai Black


Centre For Interpersonal Relationships (CFIR) was thrilled to be invited back to ‘Beat Blue Monday’ alongside other local exhibitors for yesterday’s festivities at the Toronto Broadcasting Centre. More exciting than the invitation itself was the opportunity to connect with employees eager to learn more about mental and physical wellness and strategies to beat the blues.

The entertainment was fun, informative and elevated the festivities to another memorable level!

CFIR Clinical Director and psychologist, Dr. Lila Z. Hakim, C. Psych. joined CBC personalities including the host of CBC Radio’s Day 6, Brent Bambury, CBC Sports host Scott Russell, and CBC Music’s Raina Douris and Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe in a game show testing their ’emotional intelligence’.

Lisa Clarkson (Executive Director, Business & Rights and Content Optimization at CBC and Executive Sponsor for the Beat Blues Monday Event) introduced the ‘Mayfield Magnetics’, the top Grade 12 vocal jazz class in Ontario and the winners of 2016’s CBC Music Class Challenge.

‘Beat Blue Monday’ 2018 was a wonderful experience. Sincere congratulations to Kai Black, Helen Kugler, Sylvie MacLean, CBC’s Engagement & Inclusion team, the CBC Toronto’s EAP, the abilicrew, DiversifyCBC and outCBC for a successful event and for their ongoing commitment to–and investment in–the mental wellness of CBC employees.

Think you might have a case of the winter blues? 

Dr. Lila Z. Hakim, C. Psych. offers a few helpful tips below to start feeling good again **:

Nourish Your Body

Many of us experience cravings for certain foods when the winter season blows in and our bodies develop a yen for carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are directly linked to the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, an emotion regulator that helps you feel emotionally stable, less anxious, calmer, more focused and energetic.

When that 3 p.m. craving for a savoury or sweet snack hits, it’s your body’s way of self-medicating, seeking to improve your mood by boosting your serotonin levels. Listen to your body and give yourself that much-needed serotonin lift.

Instead of calorie-dense, sugary breads and sweets that offer a quick mood-boost and then a crash, consider healthier alternatives such as fruits, nuts, and yogurt.

Get Active!

Physical activity increases not only the calming neurotransmitter serotonin, but also increases dopamine, the emotion and pleasure neurotransmitter, and endorphins, your pain-relief and pleasure neurotransmitters. Incorporating movement into your day (climbing stairs, going for a walk, etc.) gives your body the activity it needs to keep your mood up throughout the day.

Make Sleep a Priority

Sleeping excessively (or hibernating) is normal in the winter and is often a reaction to the cold, but for some, ongoing insomnia or difficulties falling or staying asleep create difficulties that can lead to the blues. Provide yourself with a space at home that includes comforting objects (such as a warm blanket, beautiful objects, etc.) to calm your stress hormones. Aim to get exactly the amount of sleep you need to feel fully rested and ask a professional if you are unsure about how much rest is the ideal amount.

Do Things that Light You Up

Find activities in your life that give you a sense of pleasure and meaning, that involve curiosity, exploration, and interest­–this could be collecting or building things, researching something you love like travelling, or caring for other people. Artistic endeavours like creating and listening to remarkable music are also great options. Pleasure, curiosity, exploration, and interest all stimulate dopamine, which makes you feel exhilarated and alive!

Which strategies do you find most effective for curing winter blues? Feel free to share your comments or feedback below.

(**Note: If you or a person you know is experiencing regular symptoms of depression, it is important to seek medical attention from a physician. If you don’t have a family doctor, click here for additional information and options via Ontario.ca.)