Today is Time to Talk Day!

Written by Barbour EHS Writer Kelly Kennedy

Today (6 February) is Time to Talk Day, which is the nation's biggest mental health conversation.

It is run by MIND and Rethink Mental Illness in England, in partnership with Co-op. The campaign runs UK wide, with SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) in Scotland, Inspire in Northern Ireland and Time to Change Wales.

Let's talk it through

One in four of us will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Too many of us are made to feel isolated, worthless and ashamed because of this.

The day is all about creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends or colleagues about mental health. We all have mental health and by talking about it we can support ourselves and others.

Time to Talk Day aims to support communities up and down the country to help them get comfortable talking about mental health. It was launched in 2014 by Time to Change, a campaign to end mental health stigma and discrimination, which was run by MIND and Rethink Mental Illness.

Time to Talk Day 2024 revealed that:

• nearly two thirds of the UK public put on a brave face to avoid talking about their mental health, and nearly half of us are less likely to open up as we do not want to worry others in already difficult times;
• this was highest amongst younger people with 69% of 16-24 year-olds and 72% of 25-34 year-olds reporting they avoid saying how they really feel, compared to 28% of over 75s;
• 47% of people surveyed say the pressures of the last few years, for instance the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis has made them less likely to open up to avoid worrying others in difficult times;
• more than half (52%) of UK respondents say that the cost-of-living crisis has impacted their mental health, ahead of the news cycle and world affairs (22%) and the pandemic (21%);
• work also takes a toll (29%), as well as relationships (26%), suggesting that things closer to home are affecting many people right now.

Although sometimes it may feel easier to tell people "we're fine", bottling things up and putting a brave face on can have a negative impact on our wellbeing. This day should be used to remind people how talking about mental health has the power to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.

But talking openly and honestly can be the first step towards better mental health for everyone. It can reduce stigma and help people feel comfortable enough to seek help when they need it.

Everyone should feel comfortable talking about mental health, and just being there for someone can make a big difference.

How to take part

There are lots of ways to make space for a conversation on Time to Talk Day, including:

• hosting a tea and talk or walk and talk event;
• put up posters on a community notice board or work communal board;
• run an office lunch and learn to teach colleagues more about mental health and how to support each other;
• texting someone to check in on them;
• posting on social media;
• whatever you are comfortable doing, take the opportunity to get people talking about mental health.

There is no right or wrong way to talk about mental health, but these tips can help make sure you are approaching the conversation in a helpful way:

• ask questions and listen;
• think about the time and place, but don't let the search for the perfect place put you off;
• do not try and fix it;
• treat them the same and do the things you would normally do;
• be patient.

For more information on this subject, see:

• Mental health conditions, work and the workplace;
• HSE Talking Toolkit Preventing work-related stress;
• Work-related stress and how to manage it;
• HSENI Talking Toolit Preventing work-related stress;
• Work related stress - A guide for employers;
• Work related stress - Information sheet for employees.