On Thursday 6th February, pupils and staff across the Thinking Schools Academy Trust are joining the national conversation about mental health for Time to Talk Day.
Imagine a world where talking about mental health would be as normal as talking about the weather or asking what someone got up to over the weekend... Time to Talk Day is all about taking time to engage in conversation about a topic many people may find awkward or difficult.
Here are some examples about how you can use Habits of Mind, a tool that can help navigate complex situations, can be used to talk about mental health.
Talking about mental health helps to reduce isolation
Have you ever had times where you have felt like you must be the only one thinking and feeling something?
Talking to people around you about thoughts and feelings can make all the difference to help you realise that you are not alone.
From colleagues in the workplace, family, friends, and professionals, speaking about your mental health can make a difference and help foster a positive and engaged community.
Speaking about mental health can offer a fresh perspective
We have all experienced a time when thoughts go around in our head. Speaking to someone you trust can help introduce new insights that may change how you view the current challenges.
Sharing about your experience of mental health can provide an emotional release
In the same way that a build-up of pressure can be damaging to structures, a build-up of emotions can have an impact on, not only our mental wellbeing, but our physical wellbeing too.
Offloading and being open about your feelings can provide a route to manage and understand your process.
Start a conversation: Whether you talk about mental health over a cup of tea, a walk outside, or sending a text, taking the first step in engaging a conversation about mental health can be a great step to take with those around you.
Here are some tips to help you talk about mental health: how-to-have-conversations-about-mental-health.pdf
Practice active listening: Listening to people and empathising with what they say can do wonders for our mental health. From general conversations in an everyday context to being open about difficulties someone may be facing, listening actively can be a powerful tool to support someone’s mental wellbeing. Click here to read more on active listening: 10 tips for active listening - BHF
Share your story: Only speak about your experiences if you feel comfortable. Sharing your own experiences, difficulties and challenges can be a powerful thing for those around us to hear.
Discussing how you navigated difficulties may encourage others to share or reach out for support.
For more information talking about your own mental health click here: Talking about your mental health problem - Mind