In my day job, I spend so much time encouraging others to talk about their mental
health. I push the key messages around the importance of good mental health and getting support if you are struggling. I stress the importance of reducing the stigma surrounding mental health to anyone who will listen. I encourage people to open up, to share their story and be an example of strength and open mindedness to those around them. But am I as willing to share my own stories? Can I truly say I open up to people when I struggle with my mental health? I’m not so sure. One word comes to mind – hypocrite.
Now, if you weren’t already aware, today is Time to Talk Day. A campaign run by Time for Change that encourages everyone to have a conversation about mental health. Mental health will affect 1 in 4 people in any given year, but despite this it can still be a taboo subject. Far too often people will still dismiss the topic of mental health, saying that it doesn’t apply to them. But mental health, like physical health, is something that everyone has. Some of us might have positive mental health, while others are struggling with mental ill health, but we all have mental health. And just life physical health, we are all susceptible to struggles with our mental health throughout our lives.
So with Time to Talk Day here, what better time to break from my hypocritical ways than to have a conversation and show my support for this campaign? I decided to spend some time talking to my good friend, Danny, about mental health and some of the challenges we have faced in our lives (stayed tuned for more on this conversation in the next couple of days).
Danny is an intelligent, successful and kind hearted, gay man. He speaks openly and confidently about his support for equality and diversity in all areas of life, particularly in support of LGBT, women and BAME communities. As such I thought it would be really interesting to discuss mental health with an equalities and diversity angle to it, in what I hope will be the first of many guest interviews.
I went in to the conversation knowing exactly what I was hoping to achieve from this conversation. I prepared with a list of conversation starters and questions I wanted to ask, ready to create my first journalistic masterpiece. What unfolded over the next hour and a half was a far more organic and broader discussion than I could have ever imagined. Those 90 minutes offered me a deeper understanding and greater insight in to the life of one of my closest friends. It gave me the opportunity to learn and broaden my knowledge about a number of really important issues. The opportunity to share my views and my stories. But most of all, it made me reflect on how lucky I am to have such a supportive friend in my life.
Making space in my day to have this conversation was a game changer for me. It had been a stressful and challenging day. This conversation, although not even about the challenges of the day, had helped me to unwind. Rather than feeling deflated, spooning Nutella straight from the jar in to my mouth (something that happens far too often whether I’m in a good or bad mood), and ruining my attempts to get in shape for my wedding, I was left feeling buoyant and ready for the challenges that tomorrow would undoubtedly bring.
It’s amazing what just talking to a friend can do for you…
If you would like more information on Time to Talk Day please visit https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/time-talk-day
To donate towards my 100 mile challenge please head to www.virginmoneygiving.com/nickphipps3