Let's Talk About Mental Health

Time For Change Mental Health ProgrammeAfter reading the title, how many of you have thought ‘yeah great let’s', and how many of you have thought ‘erm, I’d rather not’. Sadly, the latter is the majority, and that is what leading mental health programme Time for Change is trying to address.

On March 21st they are launching a nationwide campaign which they are calling “It’s time to talk, it’s time to change”. The aim of this campaign is to promote understanding of mental illness and stop it being a taboo subject. There is a stigma regarding metal health, and although many of think that we are pretty cool about it, the fact is that we aren’t.

If a work colleague is absent for a long time. it’s human nature to ask about them and discuss what’s wrong with them. If they have the Flu or some other common ailment we make all the right noises. If, however, you find out they have mental health problems, it’s a whole different ball game. There will be face pulling, and derogatory comment such as ‘loopy’ or ‘cuckoo’ mat be bandied about.

The fact is that there are millions of sufferers in the UK. The chances are that you will know someone with mental health issues, but there is less of a chance that you will know they have a problem. Seeking help for your metal health problems is a massive step to take as it’s often hard to acknowledge you have these problems. The stigma attached also means that you are often frightened to tell even your closest friends.

Many people will use the word ‘depressed’ to express they are feeling, when in reality they are just feeling a bit down. The diagnosed depressive will more than likely say they are fine, as they are frightened of other’s reactions. That is why this campaign is so important. We need our friends and colleagues around us, and when we are diagnosed with an illness, we need them more than ever.

Mental illness covers a very broad spectrum; most sufferers are on medication and can function normally and hold down jobs successfully. They will have episodes where they struggle, and these are the times they need to be able to talk about it. Everyone should look at themselves and think about what their reaction would be if a friend told them they had a mental illness. Who would you be able to tell if you were diagnosed with one?


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