Kenneth Gibson MSP is supporting Time to Talk Day 2018 on Thursday 01 February.
Time to Talk Day, organised in partnership between See Me, Time to Change, and Change Your Mind, is a chance for all of us to be more open about mental health – to talk, to listen, and to change lives.
For too long, mental health has been a taboo subject that people fear to discuss out in the open. We often talk about mental health in terms of problems, but just like our physical health, it’s something that we need to look after and it affects us all.
Whether you are at work, at home, or among friends, it’s always good to have a conversation about mental health. Conversations have the power to change lives, no matter where they take place.
Kenneth Gibson said:
“Around one in three people are estimated to be affected by mental illness each year, so there is no reason to feel like you are alone or isolated when dealing with mental health issues.”
“I encourage everyone to get involved in Time to Talk Day, whether that’s by putting up posters in your workplace or school, sharing the campaign across social media, or just opening up to a friend. These small acts of kindness can have a ripple effect that spreads across our communities.”
See Me is Scotland's programme to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination, funded by the Scottish Government and Comic Relief.
In the 2018-19 budget announced by Finance Secretary Derek McKay on 14 December, the SNP Government committed to increasing direct investment in mental health from £30 to £47 million, an increase of 54% and the third annual increase in a row, which will help to deliver an additional 800 mental health workers.
If you would like to get involved and help tackle the stigma of mental health, please visit the Time to Talk Day website for ideas and free resources:
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