Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. Happening every year, it’s a day for friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives.
This year’s Time to Talk Day 2023 will take place on Thursday 2 February 2023, run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, in partnership with the Co-op and with support from Time To Change Wales, See Me and Change Your Mind / Inspire.
LiveWell (the Council’s healthy working lives programme) is encouraging colleagues to make time this Thursday to support the important campaign.
The LiveWell group have organised a couple of wellbeing sessions. Please note, not to be confused with the internal ‘Our Time to Talk’ conversation! Although both consider and encourage us to talk about our wellbeing!
These sessions are being delivered via Teams by Optima Health and please click the appropriate link to book onto each session. Both sessions are independent of each other, you are free to book on both if you wish and each session is limited to 16 participants:
- Book now: Mental Health Awareness, Thursday 2 February, 10:00 – 11:30 am: In this session you will complete a self-assessment, explore different aspects of mental health, identify warning signs and symptoms, navigate workplace stigma around mental health and discuss the importance of self-care.
- Book now: Building Personal Resilience, Thursday 23 February, 2:30 – 4:00 pm: This session will explore our own challenges to personal resilience at home and at work, self-assess your personal coping mechanisms and identify strategies to develop resilience at work.
- (When booking your space, follow the booking link then scroll and select the month, date and time of the preferred session(s) noted above, once selected, this will proceed to allow you to book onto the session). If you have any issues booking, contact: livewell@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
You can also Explore the Time To Talk website for ideas and tips on how to take part in Time to Talk Day, from organising an event in your local library or hosting a lunch and learn session to simply sharing information on social media or texting a friend.
Why Talking Is Important
One in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem in any given year.
We want everyone to feel comfortable talking about mental health – whenever they like. Talking about mental health reduces stigma, helping to create supportive communities where we can talk openly about mental health and feel empowered to seek help when we need it.
That’s why opening up the conversation about mental health problems is so important – by talking about it we can support ourselves and others.
The more conversations we have, the better life is for everyone. Talking about mental health isn’t aways easy, but a conversation has the power to change lives. So why not make space in your day for a conversation about mental health this Time to Talk Day?
Looking after your own mental health
Your mental health and wellbeing is just as important as your physical health.
The BeWell section of the LiveWell webpage on Connects recognises the wide range of topics that impact on wellbeing and has lots of useful information on Mental Health, Wellbeing and Mindfulness.
Also, check out the useful NHS article 5 steps to mental wellbeing.
The Council also has a team of Wellbeing Warriors (who are mental health first aid trained) on hand to provide a listening ear, offer support and signpost you to relevant resources available and the Mental Health Foundation website has a range of content for looking after your mental health.
Be kind to yourself, and consider getting in touch with your GP who will be able to give you practical advice and help if you are struggling with your mental health.