I know it’s already been mentioned in recent communications, but this week I want to encourage everyone to talk about mental health, especially on Time to Talk Day which is tomorrow, Thursday 4 February.
This year’s theme is The Power of Small; a small conversation about mental health has the power to make a big difference. The more conversations we have, the more myths we can bust and barriers we can break down, bringing us closer to ending mental health stigma and discrimination.
Whether you’ve already planned an activity or are still looking for inspiration, we’ve got plenty of ideas to help you get the conversation started in your team:
- Join in the Time to Talk Day virtual festival which includes a lunch and learn, laughter yoga and live cooking session.
- Play the Sussed Card Game.
- Play Time to Talk Bingo.
- Read some Talking Tips.
- Organise a team step challenge.
- Visit the Action for Happiness website to access and share free resources and online events including daily actions for happiness via their app.
- Show support for #TimeToTalkDay with your networks through social media.
Your Mental Health Champions – since we made the Time to Change Pledge last June, our Mental Health Champions have started having these all important conversations through a range of creative ways to encourage their teams to stay connected including coffee and chat sessions, weekly wellbeing newsletters, team exercise challenges and sharing their personal experiences. Our champions play a crucial role in reducing any stigma that may still be associated with mental health and I want to thank them for all their efforts so far which haven’t gone unnoticed. If you would like to find out more about the role and access useful resources to share amongst your team, please get in touch.
Hobby Groups - the champions have been looking at different ways to build on connections, spread a little joy and reduce feelings of anxiety or isolation and have set up a few hobby groups for anyone interested, so far, we have:
- Console Gaming Club – if you’re a gamer and want to talk about the latest games or find new players then contact Zelakah Murphy.
- Film/cinema – if you’re interested in chatting to others about your favourite films (or even those that have disappointed you!), then please contact Simon Dickinson.
- Creative Arts – for all abilities and all kinds of creative arts, from painting to cake decorating or crafting with kids. The idea is to share what you've done and have somewhere to go for advice and ideas. If you’re interested in finding out more or joining the group please speak to Claire Nixon.
If you would like to set up your own hobby group and promote this across the Group, please get in contact, we’d love to hear your different ideas!
Wellness Action Plan – the Mental Health Champions have developed a tool, called the Wellness Action Plan (WAP), to encourage more open conversations around mental health and to better understand what steps you can take to support your own mental health at work. Over the next few months, we plan to officially launch the WAP with guidance and training on how to use it but in the meantime, we are asking for volunteers to pilot using the WAP. If you are interested, please get in touch.
Ask Twice – checking in on your family, friends and colleagues is always important. But as the coronavirus pandemic continues, this is more important than ever. You can’t always see a mental illness and that’s why it’s so important to ask how people are. I’ve mentioned a few times the concept of asking twice but I cannot over state how a second ‘how are you?’ can make all the difference, as seen in this video.
If you are unsure on how to support someone, here are some tips for talking about mental health.
Lots of us have felt worried about the coronavirus pandemic, and everyone will feel differently about the lockdown restrictions. If you’re feeling anxious or worried, please don’t suffer in silence, reach out to someone and access the wide range of support available including Mental Health First Aiders and our Employee Assistance Programme.