This Thursday (6th February 2025) is Time to Talk Day. A national campaign run in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Scotland, organised by the national charity Mind, Rethink Mental Illness and supported by the Co-Op.
Here's an introduction to the campaign from their website: "Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. It’s a day for friends, families, communities and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives. Time to Talk Day is taking place 6 February 2025 and is run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, in partnership with Co-op and delivered by See Me with SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), Inspire and Time to Change Wales. We want everyone to feel comfortable talking about mental health."
Hands up who's seen a let's get talking or similar campaign...? There's been a lot right?
However, I truly believe each time one runs, this will be the first time for someone, that they see this message, or feel able to talk or share; so I believe everytime, this is worth it, this is valuable, this is helping to save lives.
With that being said, I also believe we focus a lot on the 'talking' part of the conversation and not enough on the 'listening' part. I remember a campaign run by Samaritans, I think 3 or 4 years ago (so it could be 10 years ago), called the Big Listen. The campaign focused on the listener and the things we can do to help provide the space, safety and opportunity for a real and open conversation.
I believe anyone of us can host a conversation, and listen to someones experinces; their troubles and successes. But, there are things we can do to make the space or time safer and more comfortable for our friends, family, colleagues to chat with us and potentially disclose anything they are struggling with.
Things worth considering when wanting to making space for a conversation, and potentially support someone's mental health:
Education and awareness
Most of us are aware mental health, illness and wellness exists. But by better educating ourselves, maybe attending training or panels, we can develop our own knowledge and awareness of different lived experiences, illnesses and support available.
We will never know everything, and every person has their own lived experinces and journey. But education can help us to be better informed, better able to respond, initially support and better able to signpost to approprate support. All helping us to be better listeners and supporters for our friends, family, colleagues and local/ online communities.
Identify and or create a safe space for open sharing
Ask where the person you'd like to chat with would like to meet or feel safe.
Sometimes sitting down specifically to talk can be daunting, taking part in an activity can help ease into a conversation. Things like walking, photography, board games, arts and crafts are all things I've personally found have helped me when talking or listening.
Ask open-ended questions
Provide the opportunity for an open conversation, without judgement or assumptions.
If you do find yourself asking questions that get yes/ no responses, try asking "can you tell me more about that?" or "How did that feel?"
'What' and 'How' questions are your friend here.
'Why' is a tricky one, it can open up the conversation, but can also feel judgemental and confrontational. Best avoided if possible.
Actively listen
Listen, don't jump in. Allow each other the time to reflect and consider responses. This can be harder than you think. Try not to be afraide of a few seconds of silence. Maybe even a minute. This allows us time to think about our response, maybe self reflection and to consider if it's safe to say; here and to you.
Validating feelings
It can be easy to fall into "No, don't be silly. Of course your not / or they dont / or it wont". While you want to support your friend, this could minimise or invalidate their worries, concerns or feelings.
Our focus is to offer support without judgment.
Just by listening and hearing them we can support the validation of their thoughts/ experiences.
Depending on the situation, considering sharing your own experiences (only when appropriate)
If you are talking friend to friend, peer to peer then sharing in a way you both/ all feel safe with can be immensely supportive.
However, be careful you are not detracting or minimising the experinces of your friend/ peer.
Be mindful of boundaries:
Respect each others privacy and don't pressure anyone to share more than they're comfortable with.
I said at the beginning I think anyone can host a conversation, however not everyone will be the right person for you or your friend to open up to. Sometimes the person you feel most able to chat with is someone on the edge of your social circle. It's not always your closest friend or a family member; and thats ok!
Know when to refer to professional help:
While we can all listen, sometimes someone needs more support than we can offer. That's why it's great to be aware of a few places to signpost to for support, and to mention them in your conversations.
Again, understanding everyone has their own lived experiences and will have different responses to suggested signposting or particular services or types of support.
This Time to Talk Day is a great prompt; to get more informed, to find out about local and online services, to support those services with fundraising, and to be an advocate for mental health and wellbeing conversations.
Speaking of being an advocate for mental health and wellbeing conversations, check out my podcast on Apple Podcast or Spotify (I know, cheap plug, but come on your already here).
If you would like to find out more about some mental health and wellbeing charities, services and support, here are a few places I regularly signpost to.
Check out talking and or listening services
Find your local Mind
Chat to Samaritans
Support with depression and low mood
Self Care for depression - mind.org.uk
Ways to support yourself - yongminds.org.uk
Support with low mood - nhs.uk
Support for parents
Young Minds - How to set up a parents support group
Action for Children - Parenting Support
Barnardo's - Support with being a parent
The Parenting Network - Parenting
I hope you have a great Time to Talk Day; and if this one day isnt your day for a conversation, thats ok. There are 364 other days of the year that we can also share, hold space for conversation, support and advocate for mental wellbeing. Your friend, family member, colleague will appreciate your offer for a chat just as much, maybe even more on Monday.
Blogger's note: This post does not include sponsored content. This none of the services or charities mentioned have seen this post before it is published, nor have they instructed me on what to say. The views, experiences, thoughts and insights expressed in this post are my own. The links included are direct web links and are not affiliate links.