The next Time to Talk Day is taking place on Thursday 6 February 2025. In Wales, Time to Talk Day is run by Time to Change Wales, Adferiad and Mind Cymru, and in partnership with the Co-op.
The Time to Change Wales programme is funded by the Welsh Government.
Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. This Time to Talk Day, we’re asking people to get comfortable talking about mental health. Text a friend, chat to a colleague over a cuppa, go for a walk with a loved one, share something on social media using our hashtag #TimeToTalk – there’s no right or wrong way to check in with someone on Time to Talk Day.
Start Talking About Mental Health
There are lots of ways you could start a conversation. You could have a chat alongside an activity, share a cuppa with a loved one or even text a mate to see how they’re doing. While there’s no right or wrong way to talk about mental health, our talking tips can help you have those all-important conversations.
Supporting Someone Else
If someone opens up about their mental health to you, it might be uncomfortable to start that conversation. But it doesn’t have to be – just being there for someone can make a big difference. If someone does confide in you, there are a number of things you could do:
- Ask questions and listen. Asking questions can give the person space to express how they’re feeling and what they’re going through. Try to ask questions that are open and not judgmental, like ‘how does that affect you?’ or ‘what does it feel like?’
- Don’t try and fix it. Try to resist the urge to offer quick fixes to what they’re going through. Just talking can be really powerful, so unless they’ve asked for advice directly, it might be best just to listen.
- Be patient. No matter how hard you try, some people might not be ready to talk about what they’re going through. That’s ok – the fact that you’ve tried to talk to them about it may make it easier for them to open up another time.
Share Your Own Feelings
It can be hard to open up and share your feelings. Whenever you feel ready, these tips might help you get comfortable starting that conversation:
- Find a way that feels right for you. This could be a face-to-face conversation, or you might find it easier to talk on the phone or even write down how you feel.
- Find a suitable time and place. Sometimes it’s easier to talk side-by-side, rather than face-to-face. You might want to chat while you are doing something else, like walking or cooking. However, don’t let the search for the perfect place put you off.
- Be honest and open. It can sometimes feel uncomfortable sharing something so personal, but explaining how your feelings are affecting your life may help others to understand.
If you want to submit a blog for Time to Talk Day, please click here. Make sure to read our blogging guidelines before you start writing.
