It's time to talk: 3 tips to help

Everyday is a good day to talk about your mental health. But today is a reminder of just how important that is.

Time to Talk Day (3 February) is now run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness – in partnership with Co-op – and it's about creating supportive communities by having conversations about mental health.

Why? Because one in four of us will experience a mental health problem in any given year, which is why mental health charities want everyone to feel comfortable talking about it.

Everyone has mental health, and by being open and honest about how we feel, people can feel empowered to seek help when they need it. 

There is no “right” or “wrong” way to talk about mental health, but there are some tips that may help you approach a conversation. 

1. Ask questions and be an active listener

“Asking questions can give the person space to express how they’re feeling and what they’re going through,” states Time to Talk, “and it will help you to understand their experience better. Try to ask questions that are open and not leading or judgmental, like “how does that affect you?” or “what does it feel like?””

2. Don’t try and fix it

Of course, it can be incredibly difficult if someone you care about is going through a really tough time. “Try to resist the urge to offer quick fixes to what they’re going through,” they advise. “Learning to manage or recover from a mental health problem can be a long journey, and they’ve likely already considered lots of different tools and strategies.”

3. Be side-by-side

They advise: “Sometimes it’s easier to talk side by side rather than face to face. So, if you do talk in person, you might want to chat while you are doing something else. You could start a conversation when you’re walking, cooking or stuck in traffic. However, don’t let the search for the perfect place put you off!”

Do you want to get involved in supporting people improve their mental health?

Donate, volunteer or become a member at Mind.

Support or get involved with Rethink Mental Illness.

If you run a project or give up your own time to support people with mental health difficulties, we’d love to hear from you. Email [email protected].