New Order have released a new ‘Blue Monday’-themed t-shirt in support of mental health charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), for the third year running.
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The shirt comes in honour of Blue Monday – the third Monday in January deemed the “most depressing day of the year”.
It marks the third time New Order have teamed up with CALM in honour of the day – having previously released ‘Blue Monday’ t-shirts in 2023 and 2024. In October last year, they also joined forces with the charity for World Mental Health Day for a suicide prevention video.
This year, the shirt features the original synth used to write the 1983 track, alongside the lyric: “I find it so hard to say what I need to say”.
Commenting on the limited edition t-shirt, New Order said: “Starting a conversation with somebody could be the most important conversation that person ever has. It could be life-changing.
“We feel, as CALM ambassadors, we have the perfect lyrics and message to get out there on the 2025 edition of the CALM Blue Monday t-shirts,” they continued. “And knowing that all the money raised will help make sure CALM are there for even more people who are struggling makes it even more powerful.”
T-shirts are £29.99 each, with £10 from every one purchased going towards CALM. You can get yours here.
New Order ‘Blue Monday’ 2025 t-shirt with CALM. CREDIT: Press
In 2022, New Order’s Bernard Sumner and Stephen Morris appeared in Parliament to discuss mental health and suicide prevention on the 42nd anniversary of the death of their Joy Division bandmate Ian Curtis.
During the discussion, Sumner recalled Curtis’ final years and how hard it can be to spot the signs of depression. “Originally, we didn’t think he had a mental health problem – we thought he had a problem with epilepsy,” said Sumner, describing the frontman as a “regular” and “happy-go-lucky guy”.
“His lyrics were a bit on the dark side, to put it mildly, but when Ian was with us on a day-to-day basis and in rehearsals, he was a good laugh.
“You look at a lot of photos of Ian at the time, and a lot of them are of him with his head in his hands. Those photos were taken in the two weeks before he died. Most of the rest of the time, he was fine.”
Sumner went on to explain how attitudes towards depression and breaking down the stigma that surrounds mental health have come a long way since Curtis’ death. “You were told in those days that [suicide attempts] were a cry for help, but that’s not really the case,” he said. “It’s as serious as hell and should be taken seriously.”
For help and advice on mental health:
CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably
Help Musicians UK – Around the clock mental health support and advice for musicians (CALL MUSIC MINDS MATTER ON: 0808 802 8008)
Music Support Org – Help and support for musicians struggling with alcoholism, addiction, or mental health issues (CALL: 0800 030 6789)
YOUNG MINDS – The voice for young people’s health and wellbeing
Time To Change – Let’s end mental health discrimination
The Samaritans – Confidential support 24 hours a day
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