Time to Talk Day 2023: How to get involved

This year marks the tenth Time to Talk Day.

Time to Change, a campaign to combat stigma and prejudice towards people with mental illnesses that was run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, was first introduced in 2014.

What is Time to Talk Day?

Time to Talk Day is a yearly awareness event that emphasises the value of communication and sharing to enhance mental health and wellbeing.

Every year, the day offers the opportunity for friends, family members, and coworkers to talk to one another about how they are genuinely feeling. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland all observe the day.

The theme for this year is making space in your day for a chat with people about mental health. The people behind the campaign believe this can change lives.

When is Time to Talk Day?

Time To Talk Day is observed on the first Thursday in February, which falls today this year (Thursday, February 2).

The 2023 event is organised by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, with the help of Time To Change Wales, See Me Scotland, and Inspire and Change Your Mind in Northern Ireland. It is also sponsored by the Co-op.

How to support the day

According to the Time to Talk website, the goal of the day is to provide everyone with the opportunity to express their emotions and be heard, not to force anyone to talk about a mental-health issue unless they genuinely want to. This can be achieved by making a conversation-friendly environment, whether it be at home on the couch, at work during lunch, or while taking a walk.

According to the people behind Time to Talk Day, one in every four of us will deal with a mental-health issue at some point in the year. They contend that having a discourse about mental health might help lessen the stigma attached to it and encourage individuals to seek help when they need it.

If you’re comfortable doing so, you can talk about your experience on social media using the hashtag #TimeToTalkDay.

Time to Talk has written a few tips to help you start a conversation:

Ask questions and listen: A person may be more forthcoming with their sentiments if you ask open-ended, non-judgmental inquiries and pay close attention to the responses.

Think about the time and place: The individual you're speaking to will determine the ideal time and location for your conversation.

Don’t try to fix it: Finding a solution to someone's issues is not the goal of the day. If someone you care about confides in you that they are struggling with anything, it's normal to want to try to offer guidance and support. However, keep in mind that, even just by talking to someone, you are helping them.

Treat them the same: A person with a mental-health condition is still that person underneath, and it's possible that they wish to keep acting in the same way.

Be patient: Even though it is only one day, Time to Talk Day is all about striking up a conversation.