What is Time to Talk Day?

Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. Happening every year, it’s a day for friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives.

Talking about mental health isn’t always easy and sometimes it’s even harder to say how you really feel. But a conversation has the power to change lives. Time to Talk Day is the perfect opportunity to start a conversation about mental health. 

This year, Time to Talk Day will take place on 1 February. It’s run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness and is being delivered in partnership with Co-op for the third year running.  

Listening tips

Often, when someone opens up to us about their mental health, our immediate reaction is to want to fix their problems. In doing so, we underestimate the power of listening. Simply giving someone space to talk, and listening to how they’re feeling, can be really helpful in itself.  

This Time to Talk Day, we’ve collaborated with Healthy Minds and mental health experts across the Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership to bring you top tips on how to listen and provide support when someone talks about their mental health.

Advice includes:

• Take a walk. It can be daunting to sit down and speak to someone face to face so try to suggest taking a walk or going for a drive to have the conversation.
• Show that you’re listening. Give the person your full attention and use body language to show that you care.
• Validate feelings. Recognise and acknowledge that their feelings and emotions are important.
• Accept uncomfortable emotions. It’s important not to label emotions as bad or good.
• Ask what they need. By asking the person you’re listening to what they need instead of assuming, we can understand how best to support them.
• Clarify intentions. When talking to someone about mental health, it’s important to clarify what they are saying, especially if it’s over text message.
• Fill your own cup. Make sure you look after your own wellbeing so you have the energy, time and distance you need to be able to help.

Resources

For more advice and conversation starters, download our PDF digital pack or accessible word document.

We’ve also produced a series of videos featuring top tips from Daniel (KidsTime), Shanaz (Safe Spaces), Irteza (City Community Mental Health Team), Kim (Cellar Trust), Lindsay (Guide-Line), Shabana (Roshni Ghar) and Phil (Guide-Line).