The Power of Small: Support Time to Talk Day 2021 by Talking About Mental Health

Time to Talk Day will take place on Thursday 4 February 2021, with See Me Scotland working with its anti-stigma partners from across the UK and Ireland to encourage people to talk about their mental health.

Managed by SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) and The Mental Health Foundation, See Me is Scotland’s programme to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination. The campaign, which is funded by Scottish Government and Comic Relief, has made a significant impact in challenging and breaking down barriers to people talking more about mental health since it was first launched in 2002.

This is the fourth time See Me Scotland has been involved in Time to Talk Day after huge success in previous years. Last year, over 300 workplaces, schools, universities, football teams, youth clubs (and more) took part all over Scotland, ordering packs and resources and holding events to get people talking about mental health.

A small conversation about mental health has the power to make a big difference, especially with the current challenges of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and it’s something we can all do. As a result, the theme of this year’s campaign is ‘The Power of Small’.

Too many people with mental health problems are still made to feel isolated, worthless and ashamed. Conversations have the power to change lives, wherever they take place.

Despite the pandemic, organisations and citizens in Greater Cumbernauld can get involved by hosting an online activity on Thursday 4 February 2021, or by putting materials out or simply talking to someone about the issue of mental health. 

There are lots of downloadable resources and packs available to order from See Me Scotland, including posters, postcards, tip cards and conversation starters. See Me Scotland has also developed a range of activity and communications packs to give ideas on what you can do to get people and organisations involved in your area.

Everyone has mental health and it’s important to take care of it. Mental health problems affect around one in four people in any given year. They range from common problems such as depression and anxiety, to rarer issues such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Cumbernauld Community Health Information Hub is urging people and organisations in the local area to back Time to Talk Day 2021 and get behind the work of See Me Scotland. Mary McNeil, Development Manager at Cornerstone House Centre, remarked:

“It doesn’t matter how successful you are or how much you seemingly have going for you in life – mental health problems can strike anyone. It’s not a sign of weakness or failure in any way, it’s an illness. And like any illness or injury, with the right treatment things can get better and you can become stronger again.

“It’s true indeed that there is no such thing as good health without good mental health. Many people face some kind of mental health challenge at some point in their lives. If it’s something you are going through right now, remember that you’re not alone and that with the right support most people get well again or find a way to cope and live a normal life again.

 “Once upon a time it might have been an unusual step for someone to speak about their mental health, but now so many well known faces have taken the step to talk about their own experience of mental ill health and encourage others that they can get better.

“The thing about mental health is that it is invisible. It doesn’t matter how perfect someone’s life might seem on the outside – how beautiful a body someone might appear to have, how good their family life might appear to be or how much they always seem to have everything together and in order – the truth is we don’t always know what is really going on in their lives.

“So remember to show compassion and be understanding to everyone you come across today. They might just be struggling with something that is hidden and need someone to talk to or be there for them.”

Cornerstone House Centre is an advocate of helping the people of Cumbernauld to improve their mental health. Indeed, the organisation is a provider of free courses such as Living Life to the Full, an award-winning programme which aims to help people experiencing low mood, depression and anxiety by using the approach of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

If you or someone you know is struggling with an area of their mental health right now, NHS 24 can be contacted at any time of the day or night by telephoning 111 free of charge.

There are many other excellent services available which can be accessed easily and free of charge by people living in Cumbernauld experiencing a mental health challenge. Please take note of the below information and don’t hesitate to get in touch with any services for help.

To download a range of resources and obtain further information about Time to Talk Day 2021, please click here. Latest information on the campaign can be followed on the See Me Scotland website at www.seemescotland.org.

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FREE SERVICES SUPPORTING PEOPLE FACING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES

Anxiety UK – Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition. Telephone the organisation on 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm) or visit their website at www.anxietyuk.org.uk.

Bipolar UK – A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder. Visit their website at www.bipolaruk.org.uk.

Breathing Space – A free, confidential helpline for anyone in Scotland aged over 16 that is feeling low, anxious or depressed. The service can be accessed by phoning 0800 83 85 87 (Monday to Thursday from 6pm to 2am and Friday 6pm to Monday 6am).

CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35. Contact the organisation on 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight) or visit them online at www.thecalmzone.net.

Clear Your Head Scotland – A website which provides a range of tips and ideas to help people cope during the coronavirus pandemic. This can be accessed by visiting www.clearyourhead.scot.

Cumbernauld CHaT Service – A local service which provides a range of free practical supports, interventions, advice giving and chat options for Cumbernauld citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. A telephone helpline, open from 9.00am-9.00pm every day, and email support service can be accessed.

Men’s Health Forum – This is a 24/7 stress support service for men by text, chat and email. Visit their website at www.menshealthforum.org.uk.

Mental Health Foundation – Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities. Their website is www.mentalhealth.org.uk.

Mind – Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems. For more, please contact 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm), or visit www.mind.org.uk.

No Panic – A charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome phobias or OCD. Their telephone number is 0844 967 4848 (daily, 10am to 10pm), and website is www.nopanic.org.uk.

OCD Action – Support for people with OCD. Includes information on treatment and online resources. Their contact number is 0845 390 6232 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm), and their website is www.ocdaction.org.uk.

OCD UK – A charity run by people with OCD, for people with OCD. Includes facts, news and treatments.  The organisation can be contacted on 03332 127890 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), or online at www.ocduk.org.

PAPYRUS – Young suicide prevention society. The HOPElineUK number is 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm and 7pm to 10pm, and 2pm to 5pm on weekends), and their website is www.papyrus-uk.org.

Rethink Mental Illness – Support and advice for people living with mental illness. Their telephone number is 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm), and website is www.rethink.org.

Samaritans – Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair. Contact them on 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline), or visit www.samaritans.org for support.

SANE – Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers. A textcare service is available by visiting www.sane.org.uk/textcare. A peer support forum can be accessed at www.sane.org.uk/supportforum.

YoungMinds – Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services are provided for parents and professionals. The Parents helpine can be contacted on 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm), and the organisation can be visited online at www.youngminds.org.uk.