Time To Talk Day Promoting Opportunity To Start Conversation About Your Mental Health

NHS Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is urging people to remove the stigma around mental health and take this opportunity to start a conversation and talk.

The appeal comes with Time to Talk Day - the nation’s biggest mental health conversation - on the horizon.

Happening every year, it’s a day for friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives.

This year Time to talk day is on Thursday (February 1), with the national campaign run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.

It promotes people sharing their  opening up to a friend, relative or colleague, or by contacting one of the services available to people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Sonya Mclean, Senior Programme Manager in Mental Health Crisis Care for NHS Hampshire & Isle of Wight said: 

"Our aim is to prevent mental ill health, promote positive mental wellbeing and reduce death by suicide irrespective of anyone’s circumstances.

"The more conversations we have, the better life is for everyone. Talking about mental health isn’t always easy and sometimes it’s even harder to say how you really feel. But a conversation has the power to change lives. 

“If your life is at risk right now and you feel you might attempt suicide or have seriously harmed yourself - call 999 or head to your nearest Emergency Department. Mental health emergencies are serious and you are not wasting anyone's time.” 

A short video of Sonya Mclean discussing Time to Talk Day can be found below:

If you or someone you know in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight needs support, please see details of the services available below:

NHS 111 mental health triage

The NHS111 mental health triage team provides mental health support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to people of all ages across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

You can contact the NHS111 mental health triage team by visiting 111 online, or by calling 111.

Kooth - www.kooth.com

Kooth offers an online counselling accessible and support for emotional well-being for children and young people (11-25 years).

It is free, confidential, anonymous and safe. Counsellors are available from 12pm to 10pm on weekdays and 6pm to 10pm at weekends, every day of the year on a drop-in basis. 

Shout text service

Shout offers help, anytime (even at night), and you can text them for support. Anyone in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight can text ‘HANTS’ to 85258 to speak by text with one of Shout's trained volunteers. Texting is anonymous and will not show up on your phone bill.

NHS Talking Therapies (previously iTalk)

NHS Talking Therapies is also available for residents on the Isle of Wight.

They are based at The Gables, Halberry Lane, Newport and offer appointments via telephone, through an online video platform and face-to-face. Further information can be found here: Isle of Wight NHS Talking Therapies