Breaking the silence - the power of conversation on Time to Talk Day.
Hello and welcome to our very first blog post - I’m Dr Fraser Smith, founder and principle psychologist at MAPP Psychology. We pride ourselves on delivering the highest standards of therapy and working with our clients to construct practical ways for them to cope better, and to live more purposeful and happy lives. I’m really excited to launch our blog today and I hope you find real value and support in this post, and in the series of posts to come.
As a psychologist, I've witnessed the massively positive impact open conversations about mental health can have on people. That's why February 1st, 2024 is a real stand out day for me. Time to Talk Day is an opportunity for us to reflect on just how open we are about our mental health, and how powerful talking can really be.
The Significance of Time to Talk Day
Time to Talk Day is more than just a date on the calendar; it represents a movement towards greater understanding and destigmatisation of mental health issues. It's a day where people are encouraged to talk about mental health. Whether it's sharing personal experiences, expressing concerns, or simply listening, each conversation can be a step towards healing and understanding.
Despite advancements in mental health awareness, stigma still exists. Time to Talk Day aims to challenge these misconceptions by showing that mental health issues are more common and relatable. This day has grown into a global initiative, with people around the world participating in events, sharing stories on social media, and hosting community gatherings…. as well as writing blog posts.
The Power of Conversation
As someone who has spent years in the field of psychology, I cannot overstate the power of a simple conversation. Talking about mental health can help us share struggles with trusted people which can provide a sense of relief and reduce the isolation that often comes with mental health difficulties.
Conversations can offer new viewpoints and coping strategies that you might not have considered. Discussing mental health can also strengthen relationships, which is something we all need more of, regardless of the mental health difficulties we might be experiencing.
Understanding the Scale
According to the World Health Organization, mental health disorders affect one in four people globally at some point in their lives. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that in the UK, nearly 30% of adults experience mental health difficulties each year.
Mental health statistics also highlight a significant impact on younger populations. Data from The Mental Health Foundation reveals that 19.1% of youth aged 12-17 reported suffering from at least one major depressive episode in the past year.
The WHO states that depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting more than 264 million people.
The Gap in Therapy
Despite the prevalence of mental health conditions, there is a huge gap in accessing treatment.
It's estimated that in many countries, including the UK, only about 33% of those with mental health difficulties receive treatment.
There are a lot of reason why people don’t access therapy. Regardless though, there is a massive gap between the extent of mental health difficulties in our world, and the rate of people in therapy. Trying to close this gap is another reason why Time to Talk Day is so important.
The Power of Talking
So why is talking one of the first things that people suggest whenever we face mental health challenges? Well, it’s for a number of really important reasons. As a psychologist, I have seen more improvement and more progress from people that talk about their difficulties than anything else I experience in therapy.
Here are just some of the reasons why it’s so valuable:
Talking about problems allows individuals to express feelings they might have been suppressing. This expression is a crucial step towards emotional release. When emotions are bottled up, they can create psychological pressure. Speaking about them is releasing that pressure.
Articulating thoughts and feelings can provide clarity and perspective. Often, verbalising what's going on inside our heads helps us understand our emotions better. It can transform vague anxieties into concrete challenges that are easier to address.
Sharing difficulties and realising that others have similar experiences or empathise with our situation can normalise what we are going through. This normalisation helps reduce the stigma and isolation associated with mental health issues.
Talking about our struggles can also strengthen relationships. It builds trust and empathy, laying the foundation for deeper, more supportive connections.
Emotional release through conversation can lead to a reduction in physical symptoms of stress, like muscle tension, headaches, or sleep issues.
So, What Can You Do?
Working in therapy has given me some important insights into what works for people when it comes to talking about their mental health. Here are a few bits of advice to get started:
Build trust with people you feel comfortable talking with
Often, we think that we need to open up about our difficulties to anyone and everyone. In truth, this isn’t all that effective, and it doesn’t really sound very appealing. The best thing you can do is select one or two people in your life that you trust and progressively start opening up to them from there.
Listen more first
Want to create an environment with trusted people that you can speak openly with about how you feel? One of the first steps is to listen first. Maybe there’s someone in your life that you know is struggling? How can you listen first and support? You’ll be surprised at the trusting bond you develop, and the opportunity for you to speak to that person down the line.
Give empathy, don’t try and find the answer
So often people panic when they listen to someone talk about their difficulties. Your job isn’t to give the “right answer”, rather it is far more helpful to empathise with them. Simply being present, listening and understanding can be more powerful than any solution you can come up with.
Find the right place
Whether it’s at home, at the gym, at work or at your next home football game - finding the right place where you feel comfortable talking to trusted people is key.
Sometimes it’s hard to find those trusting relationships, or its difficult to take that vulnerable step into opening up to friends and family.
In my work, I’ve found that working with a therapist can be really powerful, largely because it’s a safe environment where its ok to talk about your issues. What’s more, your therapist is one step removed from your everyday life. You can come to therapy, talk about your difficulties, establish coping strategies, and start your journey to a happier, healthier life.
If you feel that therapy might be a good option for you then please do consider booking in for a free consultation with us to find out more.
Dr Fraser Smith