Talking about mental health isn’t always easy, and sometimes it’s even harder to say how you really feel. But a conversation can change lives, and Time to Talk Day — observed annually each February — is the ideal moment to open that conversation up, whether that's over coffee with a colleague or by booking mental health speakers to lead the discussion at work.
Time to Talk Day was launched in 2014 by Time to Change, a campaign to end mental health stigma and discrimination, run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. Simply, the more conversations we have, the better life is for everyone. Approximately 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem in any given year, and the cost of living crisis is only making it harder to look after our mental health — the poorest fifth of the population are twice as likely to develop a mental health problem. Sometimes, it’s easier to tell people we’re ‘fine’ than to say how we really feel.
Open up the conversation
Recent research from the charity Mind shows how important open conversations in communities are to support everyone’s mental well-being. Talking about mental health reduces stigma, helping to create supportive communities where we can talk openly about mental health and feel empowered to seek help when we need it.
There is no right way to talk about mental health, but the following tips can help make sure you approach it in a helpful way:
1. Ask questions and listen
Asking questions can give the person space to express their feelings and what they’re going through, helping you better understand their experience. Try to ask open questions that are not leading or judgmental. For instance, "How does that affect you?" or "What does it feel like?"
2. Think about the time and place
Sometimes, it’s easier to talk side by side rather than face to face, so if you talk in person, you might want to chat while doing something else. For example, you could start a conversation while walking, making coffee, or in traffic. However, don't let the search for the perfect place put you off.
3. Don’t try to fix it
It can be hard to see someone you care about having a difficult time, but try to resist the urge to offer quick fixes to what they’re going through. Learning to manage or recover from a mental health problem can be a long journey, and they’ve likely already considered lots of different tools and strategies. Listening can be powerful, so unless they’ve asked for advice directly, it might be best to just listen.
4. Treat them the same
When someone has a mental health problem, they’re still the same person as they were before. That means that when a friend or loved one opens up about mental health, they don’t want to be treated any differently. If you want to support them, keep it simple and do what you normally do.
5. Be patient
No matter how hard you try, some people might not be ready to talk about what they’re going through. That’s okay. The fact that you’ve tried to talk to them about it may make it easier for them to open up another time.
Book a Time to Talk Day speaker
A speaker session is a natural way to keep the conversation going after Time to Talk Day itself. Here are three PepTalk mental health speakers worth considering for a keynote, workshop or panel:
Josh Connolly
Josh Connolly is a mental health speaker, author and wellbeing advocate who speaks openly about his own experiences to help audiences build healthier habits around talking, listening and looking after themselves.
Browse the full range of mental health speakers on PepTalk if you're looking for a different fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Time to Talk Day?
Time to Talk Day is a UK awareness day, run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, that encourages people to have open, honest conversations about mental health at home and at work.
When is Time to Talk Day?
Time to Talk Day is observed annually each February. Many organisations build a wellbeing session or a speaker talk around the date, then keep the conversation going with follow-up sessions across the year.
How do I book a mental health speaker for Time to Talk Day?
Email the PepTalk team at hello@getapeptalk.com with your date and audience size, and we'll match you with a mental health speaker for a keynote, workshop or panel.
What topics do mental health speakers cover?
PepTalk's mental health speakers cover everything from workplace wellbeing and stress management to mindfulness, resilience and lived-experience storytelling. Browse the full mental health speakers hub to find the right fit for your event.
Josie is PepTalk’s Senior Talent and Engagement Manager. Having worked at PepTalk for almost 5 years, she’s one of our longest-serving team members and has held a range of exciting roles across the business. Josie holds BA in English Language and an MA in Human Resource Management, focusing on employee engagement and learning & development.
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