Starting on World Mental Health Day (10 October), we are urging everyone in Brighton and Hove to break the silence over mental health by initiating small but meaningful conversations with friends, colleagues and even strangers as part of our Small Talks, Big Difference initiative.
Everyone struggles at times with their mental health, especially over the past 18 months, and yet speaking openly about it can still feel like an extremely daunting prospect. To help make this a little easier, we are asking people to take 15 minutes of their day this October for Tea Talks, and have devised a simple T.A.L.K. plan to start things off:
- Take the time to engage and check in with those around you;
- Ask twice about how they are feeling to break through the common ‘I’m fine’ response;
- Learn to listen by being patient and don’t cut people off; and
- Keep it up – don’t stop after one chat, keep checking in with each other.
As part of our T.A.L.K. plan, packages will be available for Tea Talks in our YMCA, including tea bags and key cards with questions and tips for initiating and progressing positive small talks to help tackle the big issue of mental health.
Keep checking this page and our social media to find out the latest dates of our TEA TALKS and keep the conversation going with your family and friends!
