Time to Talk Day is one of the biggest days on the mental health calendar: last year, over 100,000 people got involved with the conversation online. Will you be getting involved this year?
Often Addictions and mental-health issues are inextricably linked. Dual diagnosis is a common factor within substance use / abuse disorders (see here). Many people struggling with the impacts of excessive drinking and/or drug use can also have co-occurring mental-health disorders (co-morbidity – read more) – a common ‘Chicken & Egg‘ situation.
Those who support people impacted by addictions often see how mental-health factors play a significant role in use and any subsequent recovery. It’s one of the major reasons why I, like others who work in this area, tend to be strong advocates for greater understanding and more effective mental-health support.
This year’s Time to Talk Day is all about bringing together the right ingredients, to have a conversation about mental health. Whether that’s tea, biscuits and close friends or a room full of people challenging mental health stigma, we want you to get talking.
Mental health problems affect one in four of us, yet people are still afraid to talk about it. Time to Talk Day encourages everyone to talk about mental health… It’s Good To Talk.
It’s hard enough to experience mental health problems, without having to face the judgement from others, without the shame, isolation and stigma that too often surrounds mental health issues. Time To Change want to end mental health discrimination.
Having conversations about mental health helps break down stereotypes and improve relationships. Conversations aid recovery and take the stigma out of something that affects us all. There are lots of different ways to have a conversation about mental health. And you don’t have to be an expert to talk (some tips for starting your conversation).
“Being able to talk about my mental health is a good thing, but I shouldn’t have to gloss over the hardest parts of my experience for fear of judgement.”
Mental illness stigma stops Anna from talking about the most difficult parts of her mental health.https://t.co/ZrIClZ0CBC
— Time to Change (@TimetoChange) January 29, 2019
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What’s going on near you? Across the country local communities are coming together to help change attitudes to mental health problems. Find out about the activities that are taking place near you by visiting the link HERE.
However you do it, make sure you have a conversation about mental health this Time to Talk Day – Thursday 7th February 2019
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.
The Time to Change organisation focus on challenging stigma and discrimination in society. They’re not able to provide individual or emergency support for people in crisis however; there are lots of people who can. Contact one or more of the resources listed HERE.
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