Time to Talk Day is a yearly event on the first Thursday of February. The day is dedicated to encouraging people to have open and honest conversations about mental health to break the stigma and taboo surrounding the topic. As an organisation that focuses on communication, we believe in the power of talking.
Unfortunately, many people still struggle with discussing their mental health due to fear of judgement or a lack of understanding. Time to Talk Day aims to change that by providing a platform for people to come together and have honest, open conversations about mental health. One of the critical messages of Time to Talk day is that it's okay not to be okay. Mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. It's important to remember that seeking help for mental health issues is a sign of strength, not weakness.
There are many ways to get involved in Time to Talk day. You can organise a conversation event, share your story on social media, or start a conversation with a friend or family member. The most important thing is to start talking, as every conversation helps to break down the barriers that prevent people from seeking help.
Taken from timetotalkday.co.uk/tips-to-talk, they suggest five tips to encourage these conversations.
#1 - Asking questions can give the person space to express how they're feeling and what they're going through. It will help you better understand their experience. Try to ask open questions and not be leading or judgmental, like "how does that affect you?" or "what does it feel like?"
#2 - Sometimes, it's easier to talk side by side rather than face to face. So, if you speak in person, you might want to chat while doing something else.
#3 - Learning to manage or recover from a mental health problem can be a long journey, and they've likely already considered many different tools and strategies. Talking can be powerful, so it might be best to listen unless they've asked for advice directly.
#4 - when a friend or loved one opens up about mental health, they don't want to be treated any differently. If you want to support them, keep it simple. Do the things you'd typically do.
#5 - Be patient
Time to Talk Day is an important reminder that mental health is essential to our overall well-being and that it's important to talk about it. By having open and honest conversations, we can break down the barriers that prevent people from seeking help and make it easier for everyone to get the support they need. So let's take the time to talk and make mental health a conversation everyone can have.
Check out the time to talk website to learn more and see other ways you can get involved.