Each year, one in four of us experiences a mental health problem, yet we still seem loath to talk about it. We’re committed to making a stand and recognising it’s Time to Change.
We’re pleased to announce that the Sport and Recreation Alliance is supporting Time to Change, the mental health anti-stigma programme run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, by getting involved in the national Time to Talk Day and taking 5 minutes on Thursday 5th February to have a conversation about mental health.
The Alliance will join hundreds of other schools, organisations and members of the public on Time to Talk Day to break the silence that surrounds mental health.
Activity planned for the day by the Alliance includes, taking breaks to talk about mental wellbeing and how to support those who might be suffering when in the workplace. We will also be taking a pledge to give five minutes to “take a break”.
Recognising the benefit physical activity can have on a person’s mental health, Alliance staff will be taking five, to stop working and carry out an activity that is relaxing to them. We will also be challenging our members to “take five” and carry out activites of their own.
Right now 1 in 6 workers is dealing with a mental health problem such as anxiety, depression or stress. Our research shows work is the biggest cause of stress in people's lives, more so than debt or financial problems. That is why it is so important that on Time to Talk Day thousands of individuals and organisations will come together to show that it really is time to talk about mental health, breaking the stigma surrounding it.
James Allen, Head of Policy at the Sport and Recreation Alliance said, “Mental health issues are often met with stigma and discrimination but most commonly, distorted perception. Programmes like Time to Talk Day provide a platform to educate both the workplace and wider society on the facts about mental health. Our activity will help to get the conversation started and assist in breaking down the barriers that surround this everyday health issue ”.
Sue Baker, Director of Time to Change, said: “So many lives have been blighted by the stigma that surrounds mental health, and lives have been lost because people don’t feel they can talk about their mental health problems and are afraid of getting help. We know that talking openly about mental health can make a real difference so we are asking people to do just that and dedicate just 5 minutes on the 5th February. This will be our second Time to Talk Day, and this year we are asking people to break the silence that stigma creates by joining our 24 hour talking marathon. Mental health is relevant to every family, workplace, school, sports group, place of worship, social club or community group, so let’s get talking…”
For information about Time to Talk Day and how you can get involved please visit http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/timetotalkday
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