Time to Talk Day - 5th February 2026
Many people keep their poor mental health to themselves. They may not want to burden others or may struggle to find the words to express how they're feeling. They may feel embarrassed that they’re struggling to cope or hope ignoring their issues will make them go away.
But talking about what’s on our mind can make such a difference to our wellbeing. Time to Talk Day is an annual event billed as ‘the nation's biggest mental health conversation’.
Each year, Time to Talk Day is a chance for all of us to be more open about mental health—to talk, to listen, and to change lives. We encourage people and communities to get comfortable and start talking about mental health.
How can I start a conversation this Time to Talk Day?
Getting comfortable talking about mental health can be hard. Here are a few suggestions on how to get the ball rolling:
- Check in with a friend.
- Go for a walk and with a neighbour.
- Invite a colleague for a cup of tea and a chat.
- Share a post on social media.
- Host a coffee and chat in your community centre.
- Put some posters up in your school.
- Run a ‘lunch and learn’ information session in your office.
- Take a look at the courses offered by our training team to support workplaces.
However you start your conversation, let us know on social media with #TimeToTalk and tag us.
Find some interactive activities to download and print below.
I need advice on how to hold the conversation.
There's no right or wrong way to talk about mental health. But these tips can help make sure you’re approaching the conversation in a helpful way.
- Ask questions and listen: Asking questions can give the person space to express how they’re feeling and what they’re going through. And it can help you to understand their experience better. Try to ask questions that are open and not leading or judgmental. For example, “how does that affect you?” or “what does it feel like?”
- Think about the time and place: Sometimes it’s easier to talk side by side rather than face to face. If you do talk in person, you might want to chat while doing something else. You could start a conversation when you’re walking, cooking or stuck in traffic. But don’t let the search for the perfect place put you off!
- Don't try and fix it: It can be hard to see someone you care about having a difficult time. Try to resist the urge to offer quick fixes to what they’re going through. Learning to manage or recover from a mental health problem can be a long journey. They’ve likely already considered lots of different tools and strategies. Just talking can be really powerful, so unless they’ve asked for advice directly, it might be best just to listen.
- Treat them the same: When someone has a mental health problem, they’re still the same person as they were before. When a friend or loved one opens up about mental health, they don’t want you to treat them any differently. If you want to support them, keep it simple. Do the things you’d normally do.
- Be patient: No matter how hard you try, some people might not be ready to talk about what they’re going through. That’s okay – the fact that you’ve tried to talk may make it easier for them to open up another time.
Tips for sharing your own feelings
- Find a way that feels right for you: This could be a face-to-face conversation, or you might find it easier to talk on the phone, video-call or even write down how you feel.
- Find a suitable time and place: Sometimes it’s easier to talk side-by-side, rather than face-to-face. There may not be a ‘good time’ and you might want to chat while you are doing something else, like walking or cooking.
- Practice what you want to say: 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.
- Be honest and open: It can sometimes feel uncomfortable sharing something so personal, but explaining how your feelings are affecting your life may help others to understand.
- Suggest things that could do to help: This might just be listening and offering emotional support or there may be practical help you need.
What if I need more than just a conversation?
Time to Talk Day is the ideal opportunity to ask for the help you need, even if it’s more than just a chat about your mental health. Norfolk and Waveney Mind runs a range of services that support people with a range of mental health needs.
See our service directory for an overview of what we offer, or speak to our team about our services on 0300 330 5488 or [email protected]
For walk-in mental health support, you can visit one of our REST community wellbeing hubs.
Help us to be there for anyone who needs a conversation or support on Time to Talk Day and beyond.
We raise our own funds, which we use to provide high-quality mental health services to anyone who needs us locally and we’re incredibly grateful for all the support we receive from our local community.
Whether you can give a one-off donation or choose to become a regular giver, you can make a difference to the lives of people living across Norfolk and Waveney all year round.
Carry on the conversation
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However you start your conversation, let us know on social media with #TimeToTalk and please tag us if you can.