Reflections on Time to Talk Day

Why do you think people might not say how they're really feeling when asked how they are?

I think that it’s common to worry that, by saying how you’re really feeling, you could become a burden to others and cause them to worry about you. The reality probably is that they’re worrying about you already, and both of you might feel better by voicing how you’re feeling. A problem shared is a problem halved.

If you’re used to coping by keeping your feelings to yourself, opening up can feel unstructured and messy. I remind myself that it’s not necessarily about diving deep into your feelings all the time, but feeling comfortable to talk to someone when you’re struggling to cope on your own. That’s why Time to Talk Day (TTTD) is such an important moment.

?

What does Time to Talk Day mean to you, and has that meaning changed over the years you've been working for SAMH?

For me, TTTD is about breaking the stigma. Many people still feel uncomfortable opening up about their mental health, or asking people about theirs. I joined SAMH in 2019 and it’s been amazing to see how much awareness has grown over these years. ?It’s a day to bring talking about how we really feel to everybody’s consciousness. I like to imagine people coming home from work, school, a café or community centre, and talking about TTTD, leading to organic and open conversations about how they’re really feeling.

How do you work with Corporate Partners to raise awareness about TTTD? What do you think is most effective in raising awareness?

To raise awareness about TTTD with our SAMH Corporate Partners we provide them with digital assets, copy for internal communications, and plenty of information about the importance of TTTD. We try to get this information out well in advance so that when teams come back to work after Christmas, they can look forward to marking the date with their colleagues. It’s lovely to see them come together for coffee mornings and wellbeing activities, which sparks conversations between colleagues about how they’re really feeling.

?

What's your top tip when talking to someone about their mental health?

Listen, truly listen. Let the person find their own words. It might be the first time in a while that they’ve had someone just sit and listen to them and that might be all they need to let out how they’re feeling. I try to be an active listener, where I give others space and respond thoughtfully without interrupting. The temptation to insert ourselves, and our own experiences, is real!