Continued from yesterday（延續自昨日）
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang
For the most part, the idea of “Blue Monday” has been rejected as a myth. Some mental health experts also say there is a danger in labeling a certain day as the most depressing time of the entire year. Some argue that if people expect to feel sadder on the third Monday in January, this belief alone may increase their anxiety.
Photo: AdobeStock I 照片：AdobeStock
One group that is worried about the negative effect of believing in Blue Monday is Samaritans. A mental health charity based in the UK, Samaritans is working to turn Blue Monday into “Brew Monday.” In this case, “brew” is related to making coffee or tea. On Brew Monday, which falls on the same day as Blue Monday, Samaritans encourages people to have a cup of coffee or tea and meet with friends or family members. The purpose is to promote connection among people so that they can express their feelings and listen to one another. This, in turn, can have a positive effect on people’s mental health.
The idea of Blue Monday may be an example of creative marketing. However, depression is not, and hundreds of millions around the world suffer from it. Therefore, any discussion related to how to deal with it is definitely worthwhile. In that sense, Cliff Arnall deserves some credit for starting a public discussion on the topic.
整體而言，憂鬱星期一的概念已被視為一種迷思而遭否定。一些心理健康專家也指出，將某一天標定為一整年中最令人憂鬱的時刻具有風險。有些人主張，若人們預期自己在一月的第三個星期一會感到更加悲傷，單單這樣的信念就可能會增加他們的焦慮。
有一個團體對人們相信憂鬱星期一可能會造成負面影響而感到憂心，那就是撒瑪利亞會。設於英國的心理健康慈善機構撒瑪利亞會正致力於將Blue Monday（憂鬱星期一）轉化為 Brew Monday（暖心星期一∕喝杯熱飲星期一）。這裡的 brew 指的是沖泡咖啡或茶。在 Brew Monday（與 Blue Monday 落在同一天）當天，撒瑪利亞會鼓勵人們喝一杯咖啡或茶，並和朋友或家人聚聚。其目的在於促進人與人之間的連結，讓大家能表達感受並傾聽彼此。這也因此能對人們的心理健康產生正面影響。
憂鬱星期一這個概念或許是富有創意之行銷手法的一個例子。然而，憂鬱症並不是，全球有數以億計的人正為此所苦。因此，任何與如何面對憂鬱症相關的討論都絕對值得進行。從那個角度來看，克利夫．阿諾爾在引發大眾對此議題的討論上值得一份功勞。
What Did You Learn?
1. Which of the following statements about Samaritans is true?
(A) It believes using Blue Monday as a label may be harmful.
(B) It encourages people to avoid meeting others on Brew Monday.
(C) It is a travel agency that first promoted the idea of Blue Monday.
(D) It educates people about the risks of depression on Brew Monday.
2. What does the author suggest by saying “Cliff Arnall deserves some credit” in the last sentence of the Day 2 passage?
(A) He should be blamed for spreading an unscientific idea.
(B) He should be praised for his support of charity programs.
(C) He accidentally discovered the science behind depression.
(D) He unintentionally helped raise awareness about mental health issues.
答案：1. A 2. D
Words in Use
1. reject vt. 拒絕
reject A as B 把A視為B而遭否定
After careful discussion, the proposal was rejected as unrealistic.
經過審慎討論後，這項提案因被認為不切實際而遭否定。
2. label vt. 貼標籤
label A as B 把A稱為B，將A貼上B的標籤
The media labeled the event as a major failure.
媒體將這起事件貼上「重大失敗」的標籤。
3. anxiety n. 焦慮
Martin experienced growing anxiety before the final presentation.
馬丁在期末發表前感到越來越焦慮。
4. charity n. 慈善機構
Susan donated part of her income to a local charity that supports families in need.
蘇珊將自己的部分收入捐給一個協助弱勢家庭的在地慈善機構。
5. encourage vt. 鼓勵
encourage sb to V 鼓勵某人做……
Andrew encouraged Lily to seek professional help instead of trying to handle everything alone.
安德魯鼓勵莉莉尋求專業協助，而非試圖獨自承擔一切。
Practical Phrases
1. for the most part 整體而言，大致上，多半
? For the most part, the plan was quite effective.
整體而言，這個計畫相當有效。
2. fall on + 日子（特殊事件、慶典等）落在某個日子
The meeting falls on Friday, so everyone can attend.
這場會議落在星期五，因此大家都能參加。
3. in turn 因此，因而
The change improved efficiency and, in turn, reduced costs.
這項改變提升了效率，因此降低了成本。
4. have a positive effect on. . . 對……產生正面影響∕有正向影響
Regular exercise has a positive effect on mental health.
規律運動對心理健康有正面影響。
5. suffer from. . . 飽受……之苦；罹患……
Martin suffers from chronic stress due to long working hours.
馬丁因長時間工作而飽受慢性壓力之苦。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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