World Mental Health Day 2017
Mental health problems can affect anyone, any day of the year, but 10th of October is a great day to show your support for better mental health and start looking after your own wellbeing.
There are lots of ways to get conversations about mental health started. Here are a few ideas.
- Sometimes it's just as simple as asking a friend 'how are you', and really listening to the answer.
- If there's any mental health-related stories in the news, or any celebrities talking about it, why not use that as a way to get the conversation going?
- Sometimes it's easier to talk side-by-side instead of face to face: when you're cooking, driving or walking somewhere are all good times to give it a go.
- Alternatively, you might want to take 5 minutes to email or call a colleague who you haven't seen in a while, to ask how they're doing.
- The conversation doesn't have to be all about mental health - it can be as simple as asking how they are, and really listening to the answer.
Making time for a colleague is a really easy way to make a difference to someone's day. If you've noticed a colleague is down, or more stressed than usual, being there for them can make a big difference.
Never underestimate just how powerful a single message can be when someone is struggling. Just that simple act of letting a person know you are thinking of them can truly make all the difference.
Let’s all work together to end the stigma surrounding mental health.