Today is meant to be the most depressing day of the year

Samaritans is turning Blue Monday into Brew Monday today by encouraging folk to get together for a cup of tea and a chat on what has been dubbed the most difficult day of the year.

Blue Monday is claimed to be the most depressing day of the year - the third Monday of January when the population is recovering from the festive period and often facing a financial hangover.

In a bid to counteract the negativity, research by Samaritans showed Scots believe tea and talking is a great way to connect with people.

Nine out of 10 of those who responded to a YouGov survey commissioned for Brew Monday believe having a cup of tea and a chat with someone who may be lonely is a good way of reaching out to them.

And more than four out of five of people in Scotland believe one of the best things you can do when you are feeling lonely is have a tea and a blether.

Samaritans’ Executive Director for Scotland, James Jopling, said: “Challenging feelings aren’t seasonal and pressures can pile up over time and become overwhelming. Samaritans’ Brew Monday gives you the chance to sit down with someone and talk to them, or listen to them over a cup of tea, or coffee if you prefer.

“No matter what your brew, it’s great to get together and support each other. We’re grateful to everyone who’s making it a date to raise funds for Samaritans too, so that for people who feel they have nowhere else to turn, we can always be there.”

Comedian Ross Noble, TV and radio broadcaster Yasmin Evans, poet Hussain Manawer, Libertines vocalist Carl Barât, Years & Years lead singer Olly Alexander and Olympic champion Audley Harrison MBE are among the famous faces sharing their best tea-making tips to get people chatting over a cuppa. Stand-up comedians Maisie Adam and Bec Hill are on board too.