Mental health problems can damage lives. It’s time to end the stigma. It’s time to talk. Around 1 in 4 people in England will experience a mental health problem each year, yet too many face this in silence as they feel unable to talk about it. This can often make things worse.
Your attitude to mental health could change someone’s life. A small conversation has the power to make a big difference. The more conversations we have, the more myths we can bust and barriers we can break down, helping to end the isolation and shame that too many people with mental health problems can feel.
Today is Time to Talk Day, a day dedicated to getting people talking about mental health. It may be a little different this year but open conversations about mental health are more important than ever. The current restrictions we face mean we can miss out on the support from those around us.
If someone is feeling anxious or worried, you don’t need to be an expert on mental health to support them. Think about using these three top tips:
- Check in: If someone doesn’t feel ready to meet face-to-face, picking up the phone, having a video call, starting a group chat or messaging someone on social media lets them know you are there to talk and ready to listen.
- Listen and reflect: Whether you have a mental health problem or not, this will be a challenging time for our mental health and wellbeing. If someone opens up to you, remember that you don’t need to fix things or offer advice. Often just listening, and showing you take them seriously, can help someone to manage.
- Ask questions: Ask how people are managing, and ask again if you’re worried they aren’t sharing the full picture. Asking again, with interest, can help someone to open up and explore what they’re feeling.
You can find more resources from the following mental health charities:
Young people can also contact:
Always remember, it’s okay not to be okay so if you are experiencing a mental health crisis then please talk to someone.
