Time to Talk Day is here again – providing an invaluable reminder of the importance of conversations about mental health. Falling on 6th February 2025, this national event encourages people across the UK to open up, connect, and break the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
What is Time to talk day?
Time to Talk Day is run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, in partnership with Co-Op. The day aims to create an empowering community where mental health can be openly talked about and supported. For workplaces, it’s the perfect opportunity to foster a culture of openness and support—one conversation at a time.
Let’s talk about Mental Health and Wellbeing
Time to Talk Day is the UK’s largest mental health conversation. It’s a day for friends, families, communities and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives. Time to Talk Day takes place on the 6th February 2025 and is the nation’s biggest conversation on mental health and wellbeing. Time to Talk Day 2025 is run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, in partnership with Co-op and delivered by See Me with SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), Inspire and Time to Change Wales.
The aim of Time to Talk Day is to help get everyone feeling comfortable talking about mental health.
Time to Talk Day: Why Talking About Mental Health Matters
Mental health is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of wellbeing. According to the Mental Health Foundation, one in six employees experiences a mental health problem at any given time. Despite this, many workers feel unable to discuss their struggles due to fear of judgment or negative consequences. In fact, Time to Talk Day 2024 revealed that nearly two thirds of the UK public put on a brave face to avoid talking about their mental health. And nearly half of us are less likely to open up as we don’t want to worry others in already difficult times.
Creating an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing mental health can:
- Improve productivity: Happier, healthier employees are more engaged and productive.
- Reduce absenteeism: Addressing mental health issues early can prevent extended absences.
- Foster loyalty: Employees who feel supported are more likely to stay with their employer.
Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace
The Role of Employers
Employers have a responsibility to create a workplace culture that supports mental health. This involves more than providing access to resources; it means actively encouraging conversations and equipping staff with the tools they need to support each other.
How You Can Help Support Mental Health
On Time to Talk Day, why not host a dedicated mental health awareness session or share stories from employees or leaders who have navigated mental health challenges? Beyond formal policies and legal requirements, employers can foster a mentally healthy workplace by encouraging team-building activities like mindfulness sessions, group walks, or casual coffee catch-ups to help employees connect. Creating a warm and inclusive environment could also mean celebrating small wins together, introducing ‘no-meeting’ afternoons to ease workload pressure, or even having a dedicated space where employees can take a break and recharge. Simple gestures like recognising achievements, showing appreciation, and promoting a culture of kindness can go a long way in supporting mental well-being at work.
How can you get involved?
Here are some simple steps to help you get involved with the Time to Talk campaign.
1. Plan an activity – think about activities that will bring people in your community or workplace together to talk, listen and change lives.
2. Find a good place to chat – Indoors, outdoors? Think about hosting an event at a popular venue near you to get your community talking.
3. Download helpful mental health resources – There are plenty of resources out there – why not download and use our FREE editable poster to promote your activity.
4. Keep talking – remember, this isn’t a once a year event. Regular chats are important for other people’s mental health and wellbeing as well as yours. Keep the conversations going.
Download a FREE Editable Time To Talk Poster
Time to Talk Day is an annual event that reminds us of the importance of talking about mental health. However, we need to maintain and promote a culture where people feel more comfortable talk and sharing their mental health situations and experiences. Here is an editable poster that you can download and use for FREE.
Download the ‘Time to Talk’ poster to promote your event. Consider the following key points:
- Add your own specific details to promote your time to talk activity
- Explain where and when
- Choose a location for your poster with good visibility to promote your event
- Remember this can be a regular event, not just a one-off or annual activity – so keep the conversation going.
Display the poster in a prominent place to promote your time to talk event.
How Mental Health and Wellbeing Training Courses Can Help
Mental Health Awareness Training can help you to understand the different factors that can affect your own mental health (and that of your colleagues and employees) and obtain the knowledge and support for dealing with mental health issues should they arise. It equips employees and managers with the knowledge to:
- Recognise the signs of poor mental health in themselves and others.
- Appreciate common mental health issues and how widespread they are.
- Recognise that your mental health can change throughout your life and that there should be no stigma attached to mental health issues.
- Understand the connection between physical and mental wellbeing
- Know how to confidently talk to someone about mental health issues and respond empathetically and effectively.
- Signpost colleagues to appropriate support resources.
By investing in mental health training, employers demonstrate their commitment to their workforce’s well-being, while empowering teams to foster a supportive and inclusive environment.
Mental Health: Start the Conversation This Time to Talk Day
This Time to Talk Day, take a moment to consider how your workplace approaches mental health. Are you doing enough to break down the stigma? Are your employees equipped to support one another? Small steps, like initiating a conversation or arranging training, can have a big impact.
At RealSense, we’re passionate about helping organisations create mentally healthy workplaces. Our Mental Health Awareness Training course is designed to provide practical tools and strategies that make a real difference. It’s full of information, hints, tips and specialist advice, and benefits organisations and individuals who want to increase their awareness of how to support and care for mental health.
Mental Health Support Information
Further Mental Health and Wellbeing Contacts
If you, or anyone you know, needs help and support with their mental health and wellbeing, you can get help and advice by contacting any of the organisations below.
Call Mind’s Infoline for information and support in England and Wales on 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org.uk
Contact SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) for information and support in Scotland on 0344 800 0550. Email: info@samh.org.uk
Call Inspire for information and support in Northern Ireland on 0289 032 8474.
Call Samaritans for support anywhere 24/7 on 116 123 or email: jo@samaritans.org
Text SHOUT for support anywhere on 85258.