Time to Talk Day 2015 is today.
Mental health problems affect 1 in 4 of us every year, yet too often we’re afraid to talk about our experiences because we fear it will affect our jobs or relationships. That’s not right and it’s why we need your help today to break the silence and end the stigma.
We all have mental health, just like we all have physical health, so you don’t need to be an expert to have a conversation today. Take 5 with a friend to find out how they’re doing, watch and share the Time to Talk film or have a conversation online – these are all small things you can do to make a big difference.
We took 5 this morning and this is what we chatted about…
It’s helpful for Mental Health to be getting so much attention, it happens to so many people it should be part of the conversation. They say it’s 1 in 4 people who are affected by Mental Health, but I bet it is so many more. The more everyone talks about Mental Health the less embarrassing it will be, it gets it out in the open. We talk about almost every other health issue, Mental Health is just difficult. People are afraid of how they will look if it is known they have a mental health issue.
If people talk more it creates more understanding and empathy and that is what we need. It is interesting because nearly everyone has something to say about it, some connection. The more people talk the more we can get rid of the ‘them & us’ situation we seem to be in. MP’s talk as if they are immune to it ‘I know people are struggling’ but it can happen to anyone- it is being human.
We need people to listen and not to judge. Just being with someone who has a mental health issue is really important and not avoiding them. You also have to look after yourself if you are supporting people, it is emotionally tough and you can’t be strong all the time.
Get involved
Once you’ve had your conversation, got to http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/timetotalkday and record it on their interactive counter. By midnight tonight, they want the counter to show at least 24 hours’ worth of conversations, so make sure you remember to log your 5 minutes!