It is estimated that one in four people in England suffer from a common mental health disorder each year[1] yet, according to Time to Change’s Attitude to mental illness 2014 report, 23% of respondents said they would feel uncomfortable talking to their friends and family about their mental health and a staggering 48% said that they would feel uncomfortable talking about their mental health with their employer[2]. While the report does show that there is a positive trend in the number of people who feel comfortable talking about mental health issues in both their private and professional lives since 2009; clearly there is still a long way to go.

Thursday 1st February 2018 will be Time to Change’s fifth Time to Talk Day: a day on which people are encouraged to talk, listen, and think about mental health in order to cultivate a more informed and tolerant attitude towards mental illness. Even if you feel you have nothing to say; simply letting someone know that you are there to listen should they need it can make all the difference. Time to Change has resource packs for both communities and employers with materials and ideas to help get the conversation going as well as a map of events taking place in your area to mark Time to Talk Day

If you or someone you know suffers from a mental health problem see Mind’s information and support page for information on the varieties of mental health problems and what help and support is available to you.

[1]  McManus, S., Meltzer, H., Brugha, T. S., Bebbington, P. E., & Jenkins, R. (2009). Adult psychiatric morbidity in England, 2007: results of a household survey.

[2] UK Department of Health. Attitudes to Mental Illness 2014 Research Report. Department of Health, United Kingdom, 2014.