Time to Talk Day

Mental health problems affect people every day of the year, but we want to use today’s ‘Time to Talk Day’ to remind colleagues of the importance of having mental health conversations.

In October 2017, we launched our five-year mental health strategy and plan 'Because Healthy Minds Matter'. Its four main aims are:

•             Increase awareness of mental health

•             Decrease stigma and normalise mental health conversations

•             Signpost and utilise the tools and support available; and

•             Know where to get help in a crisis.

We know many colleagues, as well as family and friends, are affected to some degree by mental health issues. They are not alone. Mental health is a huge issue affecting millions of people throughout the UK.

The simple steps of ‘ACT’ can help us to support ourselves and others and start making things better.

•             Acknowledge – If you or someone close to you isn’t their ‘usual’ self

•             Communicate – If you are not feeling okay, speak to someone about it. If you are worried about someone else, ask them if they are okay and encourage them to talk. Take time to listen

•             Take action - Find out what support is available and encourage others to do the same.

Having a conversation

It's not always easy to know what to say. It's also important to think about how you're saying it. Some phrases put up barriers and make people feel uncomfortable. Here are some examples to try and avoid as well as some which may be helpful during challenging conversations:

Try to avoid:

•             Stop feeling sorry for yourself

•             Pull yourself together

•             You’ll snap out of it soon

•             I feel that way too sometimes but I just get on with it.

Try using:

•             It’s ok to feel that way

•             It’s good that you have told someone

•             Telling someone is the start of getting the help you need

•             What’s the best way I can support you?

•             With help and support you can feel much better than you do now.

If we are unable to get the right help and support at an early stage, we often learn to hide and mask our mental health problems, which in turn, can take up more of our energy to appear our 'usual selves'. Be part of making a change by the way you think, feel and talk about mental health conditions with colleagues, family and friends.

If you need help with your mental health, please talk to somebody about it. Remember the First Class Support helpline is available by calling 0800 6888 777 for direct access to counselling services as well as to receive financial, relationship or legal advice. The helpline is fully confidential and available 24/7.

Go to the Feeling First Class portal (log-in or register with code FFC1) and complete the mental health eLearning ‘Because Healthy Minds Matter’. You can also access helpful mental and physical health support content and complete the online stress tool. Visit Feeling First Class via http://www.feelingfirstclass.co.uk. You can also download the app from both iTunes and the Google Play store.

Click here to download, print off and hand out/pin up our mental health awareness poster in your workplace.

Click here to see the full range of support available to you.

Many people who seek support wish they had sought and received that support earlier, which highlights just how important it is to please speak to someone and get the support you need so that you can begin to feel good again.

Remember, it's never too late to start the conversation.