Though Marathon Mondays and my current oversized backside have meant that lots of physical health has been all over the blog, anything about mental side of things has been a bit lacking.
Today is Time to Talk day, a campaign by Time to Change and Mind who are looking to end the stigma and discrimination related to mental health issues. They’re asking the whole of the UK to take 5 minutes to talk about mental health.
So, I though I’d add my two pence worth. My mum suffered with depression, and I have friends, family, colleagues who have their own demons . I’ve worked in mental health research and with families affected by mental health issues, from dementia to depression to suicide.
I’m not immune either. I get stressed, just like anyone else. Demands on my time, deadlines, day job pressures, they all mount up. Running is one method I have of coping, I’m about to embark on a course of meditation too, but sometimes I just need to talk about it.
So today, the blog post is going to be short and sweet.
If you know someone who you think needs to talk – we all have one friend who we think needs an ear, or we’re worried about – pop round, ring them up, invite them out for coffee.
Knock on after work, drop by with a piece of cake, or text them.
5 minutes. That’s all I ask. 5 minutes. Take the time to talk.
Just being there might make all the difference in the world.
Great post, I really wish the stigma around mental health would disappear. I’m open about my own mental health and believe if more people were, the stigma would reduce.
5 minutes is nothing but can make the world of difference to someone suffering.
Lauren x
Thanks Lauren.
We all have something, or know someone who has been affected by it. It’s about time we recognised that it’s not something to be ashamed of, it’s as much a part of our wellbeing as our bodies are.