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Time to Talk Day is all about us being open to the idea of talking. We all have mental health and by having conversations about it, we can help ourselves and others. It’s not about encouraging people to talk about a mental health problem if they don’t want to.
Running an event in your community, sharing articles or videos, hosting a lunch and learn session at work, or asking others how they’re doing are simple ways to start conversations and show the people in your life you’re prepared to talk and listen without judgment.
While there’s no right or wrong way to talk about mental health, our talking tips can help you have those all-important conversations.
And if you’re looking for even more guidance on how to support others, you might find Mind’s Conversations in the Community training helpful.
If someone opens up about their mental health to you, we know it might not always feel easy to know what to say. But it doesn’t have to be awkward – just being there for someone can make a big difference. If someone does confide in you, there are a number of things you could do;
Asking questions can give the person space to express how they’re feeling and what they’re going through. Try to ask questions that are open and non-judgmental, like ‘what does that feel like?’
Small verbal comments like ‘I see’ or ‘what happened next?’ will let them know you are paying attention to them and actively listening.
Try to resist the urge to offer quick fixes to what someone is going through. Just talking can be really powerful, so unless they’ve asked for advice directly, it might be best just to listen.
Mental health problems are more common than people think and can affect anyone at any time. Comments like ‘Pull yourself together’ or ‘You’re just having a bad day’ are not helpful.
No matter how hard you try, some people might not be ready to talk about what they’re going through. That’s ok – the fact that you’ve tried to talk to them about it may make it easier for them to open up another time.
It can be hard to open up and share your feelings. Whenever you feel ready, these tips might help you start the conversation;
This could be a face-to-face conversation, or you might find it easier to talk on the phone or even write down how you feel.
Sometimes it’s easier to talk side-by-side, rather than face-to-face. You might want to chat while you are doing something else, like walking or cooking. However, don’t let the search for the perfect place put you off.
You could do this in your head or make some notes. Phrases like “I’ve not been feeling like myself lately” might provide a starting point.
It can sometimes feel uncomfortable sharing something so personal, but explaining how your feelings are affecting your life may help others to understand.
This might just be listening and offering emotional support or there may be practical help you need.
If you’re active in your community and want to support others with their mental health, Mind has designed an online course just for you. Conversations in the Community will teach you how to make people feel comfortable enough to open up, how to ask open questions, and how to help them look for support afterwards.
To sign up or find out more, visit Mind’s website.
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