Time to Talk Day 2022: Rethinking Mental Health

Mental health is something that we all need to think about and take seriously. It affects us in all parts of our lives, including at work. Time to Talk day is an annual event that takes place on the first Thursday of February run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. It is a day when we all come together to talk about mental health and break the silence surrounding it.  

This article will explain what Time to Talk Day 2022 is, and why it is so important. You can also find some suggestions on how you can check in on others and encourage others to do the same. There are many ways that we can look after our mental health, and talking can be one of the most powerful.  

Time to talk day is the perfect time to reflect on our mental health and to think about how we can improve it. It’s also a time to reach out to those who might be struggling and offer them support. If you’re feeling good about your mental health, please reach out and help others. And if you’re not feeling so good, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Talking about mental health can be difficult, but it’s important! 

The day is all about creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health. We all have mental health, in fact, 1 in 4 of us can be affected by mental health at any time. By talking about it we can support ourselves and others. Conversations about mental health have the power to change lives, so why not try to change a life? 

Starting conversations about mental health can be difficult, but we have some tips to guide you in the right direction.

Ask the Question 

Simply asking a question could be the beginning of a life-changing conversation. A simple “are you okay?” or “how are you?” could be the prompt someone needs to talk about their feelings. If it does, you can continue to ask questions like “how does that make you feel?”. Non-leading questions will help avoid the feeling of judgement and could help a person open up.  

Just Listen 

Give the person all of your attention and listen to the words they’re saying. Showing that you’re listening will show that you care.  

Consider Comfort 

Talking face to face isn’t always the easiest for some people, so make sure to consider this when starting a conversation about mental health. Consider talking while doing something, whether it’s over a coffee, while out shopping or even cooking a meal. If this doesn’t work for you, you could consider sitting side by side instead of face to face.  

Don’t Change How You Treat Them  

When struggling with mental health, many people don’t want to talk over the fear of judgement or being treated differently. It is important to remember that no matter what they’re going through, they’re still the same person they were before. One of the best ways you can show your support is by treating them the same as you always have.  

Be Patient 

Some people aren’t as ready to talk about mental health and others, and that’s okay. Asking the question could spur them on to talk about their mental health in the future. Make sure you are patient and understanding, don’t push someone to talk if they’re not ready.  

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, make sure to reach out for support.

You can find out some extra information on managing your work-life with mental health in our disability advice hub. Feel free to contact us with any queries. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to keep updated with the latest news and information from Careers with Disabilities.