It’s time to have a conversation about mental health – Time to Talk Day, 7 February

Events will be taking place across Buckinghamshire to mark Time to Talk Day on Thursday 7 February as part of a nationwide push to get everyone talking more openly about mental health.

Time to Talk Day aims to get as many people as possible to have conversations about mental health. There are lots of different ways to have a conversation about mental health; whether that is talking on a walk or listening over a cup of tea, conversations can make a big difference.

Since its launch in 2014, Time to Talk Day has sparked millions of conversations in schools, homes, workplaces, in the media and online, and attracted support from celebrities such as Freddie Flintoff, Stephen Fry and Frankie Bridge.

Events happening in Buckinghamshire include:

• A free community Walk and Talk event on Waddesdon Greenway on 7 February: The walk is open to everyone and starts at Aylesbury Vale Parkway Railway Station (HP18 0PE) at 2pm, finishing at Waddesdon Cricket Club. Tea and cakes will be served at the Cricket Club at the end of the walk

• Tea and Talk pop-up cafes at libraries: Join us on 7 February between 10am and 12pm for a free coffee or tea and a conversation at Aylesbury, Beaconsfield and High Wycombe libraries

• County Council staff events: On the first Time to Talk Day since the County Council signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge, staff will be marking the day by running a lunchtime Tea and Talk event as well as encouraging staff across the organisation to get talking about mental health

• Buckinghamshire Mind isdelivering assemblies and peer support training in schools across Buckinghamshire

• Healthwatch Bucks is holding a Tea and Talk session at their offices to mark their organisation signing the Time to Change Employer Pledge

• Bucks New University’s Student Union is holding a Tea and Talk café for students and university visitors at the Wycombe campus

• Buckinghamshire Mind is signing their Time to Change Employer Pledge in Aylesbury Library as part of the Tea and Talk pop-up café

Noel Brown, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement & Public Health, said: “Mental health problems affect one in four of us, yet people are still afraid to talk about it. Time to Talk Day encourages everyone to start to talk more openly about mental health so that we can break down the stigma that is still associated with it.

“Having conversations about mental health not only helps break down stereotypes, it improves relationships, aids recovery and helps us realise that mental health problems can affect us all.

“There are lots of different ways to have a conversation about mental health – and you don’t have to be an expert to talk to a colleague, friend or family member. So however you do it, make sure you have a conversation about mental health this Time to Talk Day.”

Time to Change Buckinghamshire, led by Buckinghamshire County Council and Buckinghamshire MIND, works alongside the established national campaign aiming to change attitudes towards mental health through working with local communities, workplaces and schools. Find out more about it and how you can get involved at www.timetochangebucks.org