Recently I have had a few conversations on here around the challenges we face ‘educating’ people about mental health illnesses. How do you tell your family and friends, what do you say at work, how should you deal with stigma? Now I’m not saying I’ve got all the answers…but read on to find out about some great work being carried out in the UK to help break down the barriers.
Today is the first ever ‘Time to Talk’ day (in UK at least). It has been organised by the mental health group Time-to-change.org.uk This group is working to end mental health discrimination.
The aim of the day is to encourage everyone to stop and have a chat about mental health in a bid to break down barriers, stigmas and myths around mental health. Events have been organised around the country to promote this cause and it has been trending on Twitter throughout #timetotalk
It’s been really exciting seeing it pan out on Twitter and Facebook and the response has been great. They have also run a series of TV adverts promoting this, and encouraging people to chat with someone they know with a mental health problem. Their website even has guide cards on what sort of things to talk about, or responses you might get (We’re british, we need these things!!).
I would love it if you could have a look at the website for more information. There are really simple ways you can show your support (whichever country you are in). It really is time to talk about mental health.
Do you know of a similar organisation in your home country?
Change your mind 