COMMUTERS at Newton Abbot railway station will be met by members of South Devon Samaritans on what has become known as Brew Monday.

Monday morning will see volunteers from the charity handing out tea bags and chatting to travellers about how a cuppa can help emotional wellbeing.

January 20 is frequently referred to as Blue Monday or the most depressing day of the year.

But Samaritans in south Devon are encouraging the public to connect with people they care about and highlighting the ‘power of human connection’.

Samaritans has long campaigned to dispel the myth of the ‘most depressing day of the year’ and instead runs its annual Brew Monday campaign which encourages friends and family to stay connected by having a cuppa and a catch-up.

Samaritans of South Devon Branch Director, Robert Langdon, said: ‘There’s no right or wrong way to check in on those you care about – it doesn’t matter if it’s over the phone, in person, with tea or without – the important thing is to check in and connect with those you care about.

'We know first hand what a difference those moments of human connection can make to those who are struggling.’

To help raise awareness of Brew Monday, Samaritans of South Devon will be greeting commuters at Newton Abbot Train station on 20 January between 7am and 4pm.

For those interested in organising their own Brew Monday event, Samaritans has a wealth of resources available at www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/brew-monday/

Anyone can contact Samaritans, free, any time from any phone on 116 123, or email [email protected] or visit www.samaritans.org