Thursday 6 February marked the first ever Time to Talk Day, a new campaign led by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness which encouraged people to raise awareness about mental health issues by sitting down for a chat with a friend, family member or work colleague.
Emma was pleased to support Time to Talk Day by sitting down for a cup of tea with a colleague for a conversation about mental health, as part of the campaign to get a million conversations on the day.
Mental health problems are more common than many people think – one in four adults experience a mental health issue. But often these problems can be difficult to talk about, and nearly nine out of ten people who experience them say they face stigma and discrimination as a result. Because of this stigma some choose to hide their condition, which can lead to stress, isolation and problems at work.
Emma said: “Mental health issues are very common but unfortunately are often hidden or misunderstood. Many people with a mental health problem feel that the social stigma is a bigger burden than the illness itself, and the lack of public discussion about mental health is a big part of the fear and lack of understanding many people have. Time to Talk aims to change that, and I am delighted to support their fantastic campaign.”
Time to Talk Day is part of the Time to Change campaign to end mental health discrimination. To find out more about this campaign you can visit their website.
Emma also recently contributed to the Mental Health North East (MHNE) project Reach Out, a newsletter written by young people that focuses on their experiences of mental illness. MHNE offers help and support for people in the region of all ages. You can find out more on their website www.mhne.com or contact them by calling 0191 492 8235.