This week we marked “Blue Monday,” allegedly the most depressing and dismal day of the year.

Well, it was certainly grey, but it is also Samaritans’ annual opportunity to celebrate “Brew Monday.” We welcomed volunteers from that organisation into Parliament to talk about mental health, the work they do, and we did it over mugs of tea.

One of the biggest epidemics we face as a society is that of loneliness, and it can affect anyone at any age. Just the sheer act of taking some time out of the day for a cup of tea and a chat with someone can make a big difference.

I was struck over Christmas by the billboards across Southampton talking about loneliness in young people, which can be especially hard at that time of year.

The Samaritans were highlighting the work of their volunteers, who spend 900,000 hours every single year responding to calls for help. One of my incredible constituents, George Olden, who would admit he is not a natural runner, is this year running the London Marathon to raise money for Samaritans.

It is a great cause, and it is so important that we work to break down the stigma that still exists around mental health. I was inspired to go for a training run with George, but despite my annual January enthusiasm for a fitness drive, I am not sure I will be joining him for the marathon.

I have received quite a lot of correspondence recently about climate and nature, and so-called “green prescribing.”

I have long recognised how lucky we are in this area to have relatively easy access to outdoor spaces like the Common and indeed the New Forest, which is only a stone’s throw away from the city.

There is good evidence that even gentle walking in the fresh air is great for physical as well as mental health.

Activities like Health Walks, where you can walk and talk, can be a real boost. I was reminded of that on Monday night during Parliament’s debate on obesity, where it was noted that the first steps really can be the hardest, but are well worth taking.

It has also been Evidence Week in Parliament, where scientists from around the country came to emphasise the importance of evidence-based policymaking. I was delighted to meet with members of Southampton’s LifeLab Youth Panel to talk about the work they are doing on vapes.

They have developed a range of educational resources to support schools and youth organisations in engaging with young people about the dangers of vapes. It was very timely, with the Tobacco and Vapes Bill still making its way through the Committee Stage.

We had a very interesting discussion about how children addicted to nicotine through vaping can access help and support. It is never easy to kick an addiction, perhaps even more so when you are still a child and have no idea where to turn.

Southampton is very much a trailblazer with the LifeLab project, giving children the tools they need to make good choices about their future health and well-being. I visited last year to see some of the lessons first-hand and know there is real evidence of how their programme works.