PPMW | Time to Talk Day | 2nd February

The 2023 Time to Talk Day – 2^nd Feb  is the subject of this week's joint article with Inspire Wellbeing.

We all need to make the space to have conversations about mental health. That’s why making the space is the theme of this year’s Time to Talk Day, one of the key dates on the mental health calendar.

Time to Talk Day takes place on Thursday 2^nd February and, as ever, its aim is to encourage crucial discussions between friends, family, co-workers and peers.

Time to Talk Day urges us all to be more open about mental health. Discussing the subject isn’t always easy and we know that many people feel stigmatised by society and those around them. But that’s why breaking this stigma is so powerful: one conversation can change a person’s life for the better.

This is particularly relevant to professional settings, with employers needing to be aware of how mental health affects their workforces. According to a recent survey, conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Inspire, one in five people in Northern Ireland considered their workplaces to be a space in which they could talk about mental health. Almost as many respondents (19%) suggested that more support and information in those spaces would make it easier to discuss mental health.

Even as we continue to deal with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the rising cost of living is placing yet more pressure on individuals, families and communities. They may not show it but many of your colleagues could be facing problems relating to these issues and more.

That’s why it’s important to promote dialogue and encourage those around us to make the space necessary to reach out, helping themselves and others.

Employers can play a decisive role here by creating supportive environments, free of judgement and discrimination. When we make the space to talk, we can break barriers and improve lives.

Those of us who spent the last few years doing our jobs remotely are now back in the workplace on a more regular basis. That allows us to mark Time to Talk Day properly and there are lots of ways to get involved, from making the space to chat to your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours to sharing #TimeToTalk-related content on social media.

We’ve put together some handy tips to help everyone make the space:

• Check in with your colleagues and ask them how they’re doing. Host a coffee morning or group lunch, have a conversation and listen to what you hear.
• Try some ‘ice breaking’ exercises to get people comfortable with the concept of telling stories and relating experiences. Learn something new about each other: favourite music, films, animals or food.
• This could also be a good opportunity to talk about what helps you to maintain your wellbeing or de-stress. Use a space in your office, intranet or social media to share tips and advice for others based on your own experience.
• Set up a pledge board in the office. Pledge boards are for staff to write out simple, easy-to-achieve commitments around mental health. For example: I pledge to ask my colleagues to go for a walk at lunch once a week to catch up and take in some fresh air.
• Make space this year to support yourself. 

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This article is by Inspire Workplaces from their Wellbeing Support Hub.

The hub contains instant access to a range of information, guidance and screening that is tailored specifically to help care for individual employee wellbeing needs.

For access to the Support Hub (including costs) contact enquiries@inspirewellbeing.org

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Dislaimer

This article is for informational/educational purposes only. Nothing in the material provided constitutes legal or professional advice. NI Safety Group and Inspire Workplaces do not accept any liability whatsoever for the contents, usage or onward transmission including any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on its contents. In providing this information NI Safety Group and Inspire Workplaces are not acting in an advisory capacity or as a health and safety consultants and it remains your responsibility to ensure that you are meeting your legal obligations.

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