Did you know that today is “Time To Talk” Day?
Time to Talk Day is an annual awareness day held at the beginning of February. It’s a day for us all to start a conversation about mental health.
Talking about mental health isn’t easy. But a conversation has the power to change lives.
Please be mindful that people don’t always know how to reach out for support when they are struggling with their mental health. If you know someone that hasn’t been themselves lately, its ok to reach into them and ask how they are doing, if they say they are fine, ask them how they are again, it doesn’t hurt to ask the question twice. Ask them what does their ‘fine’ looks like. Never down play someone’s mental health journey, please be mindful that one persons trauma is another person’s Tuesday. Never be judgemental.
So many of us have experienced times when we’ve had trouble dealing with daily life. Some of us have been diagnosed with a mental health problem or felt that our mental health was poor. We all have our ways of describing those experiences. It’s important that we choose the words we feel comfortable with – after all, our stories are ours to own and share. Don’t be afraid to talk.
When you’re speaking to someone about their mental health, it’s important to be direct, show empathy and to be compassionate.
You should ask people whether they want to talk about their mental health and, if so, how they would like to discuss their experiences. They are the experts in their lives.
It’s also important not to let fear about saying the wrong thing stop you from having conversations about mental health or asking someone how they are. Avoiding the subject can make people feel silenced or can increase the stigma surrounding being open about your mental health. Being open about your own mental health and having safe and open conversations, really helps.
#timetotalk
If you have any questions, please contact British Wrestling via support@britishwrestling.org
