February 4th 2021 plays host to the world Time to Talk day. Today we make the time to focus on encouraging us all to talk to one and other, challenging the perceptions of mental health and reaching out to our families, friends and colleagues...because it is ok to talk.
A small conversation has the power to make a huge difference. The more conversations we have, the more myths we can bust and barriers to we can break down, helping to end the stigma surrounding mental health.
You're not in it alone, there is a wide amount of resource available to support conversations taking place and tools to help educate and inform on topics surrounding mental health. We have pulled together some of the resources available and would encourage everybody to take a look, get familiar and reach out to someone...even if it's just one person, today its Time to Talk.
RESOURCES
THE EMPLOYER PLEDGE
Founded on the principals of thriving in the workplace and opening up a dialogue, the Employer Pledge is a tool to guide us all in setting a simple goal for Taking Time to Talk. Download the pledge template here.
WORKPLACE CHAMPIONS
A Workplace Champion is someone who starts the conversation on mental health in the workplace. Talking about mental health in the workplace can be daunting, but the Champions make a real contribution to the workplace culture and to our colleagues. You can find the resources for being a Workplace Champion here.
QUIZZES
Quizzes are a fun and simple way of educating ourselves on the topic of mental health, the surrounding feelings and stigma and ways to overcome the challenges. A series of quizzes on a variety of topics are available and can be utilised to demonstrate the easiness of starting a conversation and develop understandings around the topics. Take a look at the different quizzes available;
OPENING A CONVERSATION
Starting a conversation can be a challenging process, but resources are available to help you along the way and educate ourselves on how to start a conversation whether you're asking for help or giving support. See the resources available for both individual tips and group activities;
CHALLENGE THE STIGMA
Importantly, we all need to challenge the stigma around mental health in the workplace and understand that we are able to and should be encouraged to speak up and speak out. It's not always easy to take the first step, but resources are available to help us start the process, start the conversation and challenge the stigma;
THERE IS TIME TO TALK
There is always Time to Talk, today and beyond. Take a look at some of the resources available, take some time to familiarise yourselves with the topics and the surrounding thoughts on Mental Health and the challenges it can present in and out of the workplace...and take Time to Talk to one and other.