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As Blue Monday (aka the 'saddest day of the year') comes around once again, I decided to look into the lore of the third Moday in January. As a result, I have some good news and some bad news.
The good news: Blue Monday isn’t real. In 2004, psychologist Cliff Arnall was asked by travel firm, Sky Travel, to come up with a formula for the January Blues - in the hopes that this would encourage people to book their summer holidays.
January can be positive time; it represents new opportunities and a fresh horizon. That being said, longer nights and shorter days mean seasonal depression is still rampant, post-Christmas recovery is in full swing, and it is absolutely freezing - to name a few pain points.
The bad news? The subject of mental illness and poor mental health is very much real - and it's not limited to a one-day window. The topic of mental health is one that’s relevant at any time, all year round.
In 2019, 21% of the Irish population were estimated to have suffered a mental health disorder according to the European Commission. In 2022, a study by Maynooth University found that 42% of Irish adults may have a mental health disorder at any given time. The list goes on.
Today, I’m going to talk about the late Arwen Sullivan and the charity she inspired; ShareJoy - a clothing resale platform harnessing the power of pre-loved items to raise mental health awareness and funds for Pieta house.
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Following the loss of Arwen in 2020, during the initial weeks of the pandemic lockdown, her mother Marie Sullivan grew determined to find a way to nurture and support young people during the pandemic.
"Losing Arwen was devastating," says Marie. "Lockdown restrictions allowed only 10 people at her funeral. Her friends left flowers and candles outside the house and gathered on a nearby green to hold a vigil. But we couldn't give her the send-off she deserved. And we still can't. After six months, not only could we not have a memorial, we couldn’t even gather family and closest friends. That’s when I decided I had to do something."
Arwen was an avid thrifter - continually refreshing her wardrobe through sites like Depop and secondhand stores.
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Founded on Blue Monday in 2021 with a mission to #TurnBlueMondayPurple - Arwen’s favourite colour - ShareJoy is inspired by Arwen’s love for sustainable fashion, leveraging the power of pre-loved clothing to raise funds for Pieta House.
"ShareJoy is designed with Arwen in mind, from the use of her favourite colour, purple, to the star icon reflecting the meaning of her name," Marie explains. "It has also helped me with my grief, to find meaning, to channel some of Arwen’s courage and determination, to do something for her, to help de-stigmatise suicide and to let others know that they are not alone."
By collecting clothing donations from those aligned with the charity's pillars, ShareJoy aims to de-stigmatise mental health and to start a new chapter in the conversation surrounding suicide prevention and bereavement.
Right now, you can shop creations by Irish designers Colin Horgan and Orla Langan as well as pieces from the wardrobes of media personalities Ryan Tubridy and Bressie, sustainability advocates Pat Kane and Fionnuala Moran, fashion maven Callyann Brennan, and many more - including some of my own favourite pieces.
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When Marie asked me to donate, she asked that I select things that bring or brought me joy. So, I chose a vintage Marc Jacobs cardigan with cute baby pink details, a green Reformation top - green is my favourite colour - some cream Helmut Lang jeans with black contrast stitching - a classic staple in my opinion - and a super fun, colourful checkerboard dress by Acne Studios that never fails to bring a smile to my face.
Arwen’s mother Marie described her daughter as her joy - bright and beautiful, kind and fun-loving. Someone who lit up the room with her radiant smile and brightened the darkest day with her vivacious spirit.
Arwen cared deeply about others and was keen to promote mental health awareness. Having struggled with anxiety since her teens, she was someone that followed a number of regimes to support her own mental health; counselling, medication, physical exercise, yoga, vitamin supplements, healthy eating – the 23-year-old even trained as a yoga instructor, teaching classes after work as a physiotherapist.
Marie and those close to Arwen were aware of her anxiety, but never thought it would take her from them.
If you’re considering treating yourself today, why not indulge in some retail therapy for a cause and #TurnBlueMondayPurple.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out to The Pieta Crisis helpline on 1800 247 247 or text HELP 51444. You can also contact the Samartians on 116 123.
