Today is Time to Talk Day at TClarke
6/2/20: Thursday 6th February is ‘Time to Talk Day’ this year and at TClarke Mental Health issues and their potential effects are always on our Mind. Here is the introduction to ‘Opening Up’ which is being shared around our business today.
This years focus on the challenge of ‘Opening Up’
The focus this year, is on acknowledging how difficult and awkward people can feel about a mental health issue and actually ‘opening up’.
Today is all about encouraging and engaging in discussion on how you or the person you engage with is feeliing – particularly regarding stress or anxiety.
Whether or not you or the person you are talking to decides to ‘open-up’ and talk, the idea is that we challenge mental health stigma through conversation. Engagement is imperative and that’s why we want people to get talking and healing.
How can it help?
Having conversations and ‘opening-up’ about mental health helps to address the perceived stereotypes (of who is affected), improve relationships, aids recovery and takes the stigma out of something that ultimately affects us all. There are lots of different ways to have a conversation about mental health. And you don’t have to be an expert to talk.
Where do we start?
Talk; talk about the weather, fashion or football if you need to; however as you are talking, try to open up a bit! If you are in a group, this may not be so easy, and you may prefer to ask if you can talk to someone on a one-to-one basis.
Who should someone talk to?
We advise our people to speak to a friend, colleague or manager, even if it is just to comment on whether or not they think that spreading the word and talking openly about mental health issues is a good or bad idea!
What else is Happening & who can help?
‘Mates in Mind’ is a UK charity raising awareness, addressing the stigma of poor mental health and promoting positive mental wellbeing across workplaces. https://www.matesinmind.org/
‘The Heads Together’ campaign, recognises that too often, people feel afraid to admit that they are struggling with their mental health. This fear of prejudice and judgement stops people from getting help and can destroy families and end lives.
Heads Together wants to help people feel much more comfortable with their everyday mental wellbeing and have the practical tools to support their friends and family. https://www.headstogether.org.uk/about/
‘The Heads Up’ campaignfocuses on football and asks, imagine if we talked about mental health as much as we talk about football.
It’s our national game – passionately followed and wholeheartedly loved by millions in the UK and billions around the world. Many of us won’t go a day without talking about it.
Through Heads Up, we want to help everyone feel as comfortable talking about mental health as they are talking football. https://www.headstogether.org.uk/heads-up/