Campaigners have criticised public relations campaigns that label today as "Blue Monday".
The day was first tagged Blue Monday seven years ago, allowing a travel company to promote thoughts of holidays.
The advertising campaigns claimed it was the week when post-Christmas credit card bills would arrive.
But the charity Anxiety UK says it belittles the issues faced by people with anxiety problems.
It condemned the day as a "cheap and insensitive stunt".
Chief executive Nicky Lidbetter said: "It is disappointing to see anxiety and mental health related issues trivialised in this manner.
"We know anecdotally at Anxiety UK that January can be a particularly difficult time of year for many anxiety sufferers dealing with the financial stress post Christmas, the dark nights and often miserable winter weather in addition to a whole range of other factors that heighten their fears.
"However, each individual will be affected in different ways and present with their own unique symptoms that can be triggered by a variety of events all year round, not just in January.
"It also undermines the tremendous work done by so many charity volunteers and therapists, the generous donations of our supporters and the staff working hard to help and support those affected as this is far from a one day occurrence."
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