Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest 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 is taking place 6 February 2025 and 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. We want everyone to feel comfortable talking about mental health. Explore this site for ideas on how to take part in Time to Talk Day, from organising an event in your local library or hosting a lunch and learn session, to simply sharing information on social media or texting a friend.
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.
But talking openly and honestly can be the first step towards better mental health for everyone. It can reduce stigma and help people feel comfortable enough to seek help when they need it.
That's why this Time To Talk Day, we want everyone to get comfortable and start talking about mental health.
More people are experiencing mental health problems because of the cost of living crisis. And people who already had a mental health problem are struggling more. While we still encourage talking, we also know that practical support is important. Being stressed about money is exhausting. If you’re worried about money and it’s affecting the mental health of you or someone you care about, Mind has some information that might be helpful.
If someone opens up about their mental health to you, we know it might not always feel easy to know what to say. But it doesn’t have to be awkward – just being there for someone can make a big difference. If someone does confide in you, there are a number of things you could do;
Asking questions can give the person space to express how they’re feeling and what they’re going through. Try to ask questions that are open and non-judgmental, like ‘what does that feel like?’
Small verbal comments like ‘I see’ or ‘what happened next?’ will let them know you are paying attention to them and actively listening.
Try to resist the urge to offer quick fixes to what someone is going through. Just talking can be really powerful, so unless they’ve asked for advice directly, it might be best just to listen.
Mental health problems are more common than people think and can affect anyone at any time. Comments like ‘Pull yourself together’ or ‘You’re just having a bad day’ are not helpful.
No matter how hard you try, some people might not be ready to talk about what they’re going through. That’s ok – the fact that you’ve tried to talk to them about it may make it easier for them to open up another time.
It can be hard to open up and share your feelings. Whenever you feel ready, these tips might help you start the conversation;
This could be a face-to-face conversation, or you might find it easier to talk on the phone or even write down how you feel.
Sometimes it’s easier to talk side-by-side, rather than face-to-face. You might want to chat while you are doing something else, like walking or cooking. However, don’t let the search for the perfect place put you off.
You could do this in your head or make some notes. Phrases like “I’ve not been feeling like myself lately” might provide a starting point.
It can sometimes feel uncomfortable sharing something so personal, but explaining how your feelings are affecting your life may help others to understand.
This might just be listening and offering emotional support or there may be practical help you need.
It’s great to start the conversation about mental health. We hope that these materials and ideas help get people talking. Sometimes this can mean that people currently experiencing mental health problems will need some support, as sensitive conversations may bring up difficult things. There are lots of places to which you can go or direct people for help.
It’s not always easy to talk about mental health. So get comfortable, put the kettle on and have a conversation. Talking openly and honestly can be the first step towards better mental health for everyone.
DownloadUse this bingo card to help start conversations and get your friends, family, community or colleagues talking about mental health.
DownloadA reference card that you can carry with you that has tips on starting a conversation
DownloadUse these statements to get people thinking and talking about mental health problems.
DownloadThis page is built using resources from Time To Talk 2025