Time to Talk day 1 February 2024

We are proudly supporting Time to Talk Day. Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. It takes place every year organised by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. It’s a day for friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives.

The more conversations we have, the better life is for everyone. Talking about mental health isn’t always easy and sometimes it’s even harder to say how you really feel. But a conversation has the power to change lives. 

At Living Options Devon we understand the importance of mental health, wellbeing and the difference that talking to somebody can make. That’s why we run our free Time to Talk and accessible counselling services. Especially for people with disabilities, long term health conditions and/or Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users.

Our team got together to share some handy tips that you could try to start a conversation with someone.

Time to Talk Day encourages everyone to be more open about mental health – to talk, to listen, to change lives.

• Smile and say hello to someone – sometimes that is all it takes to start a conversation;
• If you go to a café, share your table with someone – or talk to someone on the bus.
• Sometimes sitting side by side can be easier and helps us to talk about difficult things
• Text a friend or chat with a colleague
• Tell someone you appreciate what they have done for you
• Talk honestly and openly about your mental health – it is good for your wellbeing, busts myths and breaks down barriers;
• Listening is just as important as talking – ask someone how they are feeling
• Listening to someone speaking about their mental health, without judgement, has the power to change a life;
• Really listen to what people say to you when you ask them “how are you?” How do you answer that question, when you are asked? Sometimes what we say, or we hear, means something else:
  a. “Not too bad” – could mean “I feel lost and alone”
  b. “its all good” – could mean “I am stressed and burned out”
  c. “yeah getting by” – could mean “I am worried about paying my bills”
• You don’t have to be an expert to help someone – you just need to show that you care about how they are feeling

For more tips and advice visit the Time to Talk Day website. If you, or someone you knows might find our Time to Talk or Counselling services useful please do reach out and get in touch.