Time to Talk about mental health

Thursday 4 February is Time to Talk Day, the day that we get the nation talking about mental health.

As many as one in four adults and one in eight young people will experience a mental health problem, which means someone you know may be struggling with mental illness.

Many people with mental illnesses can hold down successful jobs, so you probably work with someone experiencing one, even if you aren’t aware of it.

Mental illness can take many forms: anxiety, panic attacks, personality disorders, depression, eating disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression), obsessive-compulsive disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, psychosis, self-harm and schizophrenia are just a few examples of mental health problems.

You can read more about different types of mental illness here.

Dave Lyons, of Littleborough, recently shared his mental health journey with Rochdale Online to try and help others in similar situations.
 

Read more: Social club aims to tackle mental health concerns with fishingPublished: 04 February 2021

Despite mental illness being more common than it seems, the stigma and silence can be as bad as the mental health problem itself.

There is no shame in mental illness: your attitude to mental health could change someone’s life.

Time to Talk Day 2021 adopts the theme ‘The Power of Small’, which aims to showcase the big difference seemingly small conversations or gestures can make.

Jo Loughran, Director of Time to Change, said: “We know that attitudes towards those of us with mental health problems have improved in recent years and it’s important that we don’t let that slide.

“The last year has been hard and it’s perhaps made more people realise that we can all struggle with our mental health at times. Let’s take this opportunity to ensure that we all feel comfortable talking about it, too.

“It’s easy to think we haven’t got the power to make a change. But lots of ‘small’ conversations can add up to a big difference in tackling the stigma and discrimination too many people still experience because of their mental health.

“So, this Time to Talk Day, play your part - send a text, reach out, have a conversation.”

To encourage supportive conversations about mental health, Time to Change has compiled some helpful tips for anyone who wants to check in with a loved one on Time to Talk Day.

• Ask questions and listen; “How does it affect you?” or “What does it feel like?”
• Think about the time and place; sometimes it’s easier to talk side-by-side. Try chatting while doing something else, like walking.
• Don’t try and fix it; resist the urge to offer quick fixes, often listening is enough.

 

Time to Talk Day_Social_2021 from Roll Nine Productions on Vimeo: To encourage supportive conversations about mental health, Time to Change has enlisted celebrity supporters – and their four-legged friends – to deliver helpful tips for anyone who wants to check in with a loved one on Time to Talk Day.

 

Jo has also shared some tips on talking about your mental health:

• It doesn’t need to be a Zoom. Many of us spend all day on video calls at the moment and it can be quite intense being in that situation one-on-one. Try sending a text, a meme, a funny video, or an old fashioned call! However you do it, reaching out shows that you are there and ready to talk when that person’s ready.
   
• Keep conversations small and informal. You don't have to set aside hours to chat. Talking when you’re side-by-side, shopping, cooking or driving can take the pressure off – it doesn’t need to be a formal sit-down conversation.
   
• Ask twice. Research shows that ‘How are you?’ can often prompt no more than a meaningless exchange. The simple act of asking again, with interest, shows a genuine willingness to talk and listen. If you’re worried about someone, the next time they say they’re fine, try asking ‘How are you really?’ or ‘Are you sure you’re ok?’
   
• Ask open questions. We can worry about prying when it comes to mental health, but it’s better to ask questions. It might help someone to get things off their chest, and it shows that you care. Some of the questions you might ask are ‘What does it feel like?’; ‘What kind of thoughts are you having?’ and ‘How can I help?’
   
• Depersonalise the situation, as you might find it easier to talk about a hypothetical event rather than asking direct questions about their feelings – or speaking about your own. For example, saying ‘lockdown can be quite difficult, can't it?'
   
• Help them see they’re not alone. If you know someone else who has struggled with their mental health, talking anonymously about their experiences might be a good way of starting a dialogue, or you could discuss celebrities who are talking about their mental health in the media.

Time to Talk Day is a nation-wide push to get people talking more openly about mental health. It was established eight years ago by Time to Change, the mental health anti-stigma campaign, led by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, in recognition of the fact that people talking and sharing their experiences positively changes the attitudes of those around them.

Join in the conversation online using the hashtag #timetotalk

• Twitter.com/timetochange
• Facebook.com/timetochange

For information and to get involved in Time to Talk Day, visit: www.time-to-change.org.uk/get-involved/time-talk-day

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Mental health help and support services

If you're experiencing mental health problems or need urgent support, there are lots of places you can go to for help - some are specifically for young people or men, or for anyone who needs help.

Andys Man Club Rochdale

Andys Man Club Rochdale provides men with a safe space to openly discuss their worries and mental health concerns.

The group meets every Monday (except bank holidays) from 7pm - 9pm at Mayfield Sports Centre, Keswick Street, Castleton, OL11 3AG. Meetings are continuing during lockdown.

If you would like to attend, please email info@andysmanclub.co.uk or message the Facebook page www.facebook.com/Andys-Man-Club-Rochdale-112828153933273/

CALM

• Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)
• Website: www.thecalmzone.net

CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35.

 

Samaritans

• Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours a day, free to call)
• Email: jo@samaritans.org
• Website: www.samaritans.org

Samaritans provides confidential, non-judgemental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide. You can phone, email, write a letter or in most cases talk to someone face to face.

 

Rochdale & District Mind

• Telephone: 01706 752 338 or text 86463
• Website: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines
• Online self-referral form: www.rochdalemind.org.uk/refer

Mind provides confidential mental health information services. Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems. Face-to-face services have moved to telephone, email, messaging and video: Mind’s Men’s and Women’s Support Groups, Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Groups.

The Infoline gives information on types of mental health problems, where to get help, drug treatments, alternative therapies and advocacy. Mind works in partnership with around 140 local Minds providing local mental health services.

 

Rethink Mental Illness Advice Line

• Telephone: 0300 5000 927 (9.30am - 4pm Monday to Friday)
• Email: advice@rethink.org
• Website: www.rethink.org/about-us/our-mental-health-advice

Provides expert advice and information to people with mental health problems and those who care for them, as well as giving help to health professionals, employers and staff. Rethink also runs Rethink services and groups across England.

 

Saneline

• Telephone: 0300 304 7000 (4:30pm-10:30pm)
• Website: www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/helpline

Saneline is a national mental health helpline providing information and support to people with mental health problems and those who support them.

 

The Mix

• Telephone: 0808 808 4994 (11am-11pm, free to call)
• Email: Helpline email form
• Crisis Support: Text 'THEMIX' to 85258.
• Website: www.themix.org.uk/get-support

The Mix provides judgement-free information and support to young people aged 13-25 on a range of issues including mental health problems. Young people can access The Mix's support via phone, email, webchat, peer to peer and counselling services.

 

ChildLine

• Telephone: 0800 1111
• Website: www.childline.org.uk

ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen. You can contact a ChildLine counsellor for free about anything - no problem is too big or too small.

 

Side by Side

• Website: sidebyside.mind.org.uk/about

Side by Side is an online community where you can listen, share and be heard. Side by Side is run by Mind.

 

SHOUT

• Text: 85258
• Website: www.giveusashout.org

Shout is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.

 

NHS England IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies)

• Website: www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/

You can find and refer yourself to mental health services in your area.