Time to Talk Day 2022: The power of conversation

Conversations have the power to change lives. Today, on Time to Talk Day, we look at the importance of opening up about our mental health.

Time to Talk Day is the UK’s biggest mental health conversation – encouraging communities to come together to talk and listen. And it does so for good reason.

Why it is so important we open up

Mental health affects everyone – no one is immune from experiencing a personal crisis. Talking about how we feel can not only help ourselves but can also help others.

It may not be easy to say, at times it may feel awkward, for some it may be hard to find the words. But being there for someone can make a big difference.

There is no right or wrong way to talk about your health and wellbeing, and this reflected in this years’ Time to Talk Day theme, “However you do it” encouraging everyone to open the dialogue.

How you can do it

The most important thing we can do for one another is to listen. If we ask questions about how someone feels or what they may be going through, it can help to understand their experience better.

Talking is a powerful tool, but it is worth remembering to not always offer your own solutions to someone else’s problems. There are many tools and strategies to be considered on someone’s recovery journey – those decisions should be made by the individual.

It is also vital to be patient. Sometimes, someone just might not want to talk about their experiences – and that is fine. Opening the door to help in future is still a positive step.

Finally, it is important to remember to treat people the same. Experiencing a mental health problem is a difficult thing for anyone to go through; but it doesn’t mean they want to be treated any differently.

How you can get involved

First started in 2014 by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, Time to Talk Day helps to generate more than two million mental health conversations every year.

You can begin conversations with loved ones, organise events in your community, or share on social media using #TimeToTalk.

More information on Time to Talk Day and resource packs can be downloaded here.

At the Charlie Watkins Foundation we are committed to helping young people who face mental health and wellbeing challenges.

We fund vital initiatives which support young people with their mental health. We would be so grateful if you could please consider making a donation to support our projects via our JustGiving page.