Today marks an important day in the calendar. It’s Time to Talk Day. The national day to shine a light on the importance of open dialogue about our mental health. Time to Talk is run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, in partnership with the Co-op and with support from Time To Change Wales, See Me and Change Your Mind / Inspire.
With the aftermath of the pandemic still looming, the cost-of-living crisis and much strike disruption across the country affecting us all in some way or another, it’s more important than ever to talk.
“A problem shared is a problem halved” is a saying we’ve all heard once or twice. It’s about getting the ball rolling. Sometimes we even answer our own questions when we hear ourselves speaking out loud. The mind can be a complex beast if everything is internalised.
Being vulnerable and open to sharing our version of how we’re feeling and a willingness to put our hands up when times are tough is a strength.
Awareness
Don’t let the only question you ask be ‘how are you?’ We’ve become very good at automating this question and, in turn, the response. Be silly, be inquisitive, make the questions count and show you genuinely care about the response. Instead of ‘How are you?’, show you’ve been paying attention and perhaps ask ‘I’ve noticed you’ve been a bit [fill in the gap] recently. Is there anything I can do it help?’. It’s less sterile than a ‘How are you?’.
It a world full of social media, take the time to call or walk in person. Time is the most valuable gift.
So, on this important day, we urge everyone to take the time to start one small conversation. It might just be the small conversation that makes a big difference.
For more information on Time to Talk Day and resources to help you start mental health conversations, head over to the amazing Time To Talk website.
