Time to Talk Day (5 February)

Creating space to talk can save lives

Time to Talk Day on 5 February is a simple but powerful reminder that talking about mental health matters. It encourages all of us to create space for honest conversations, to listen without judgement, and to help make it easier for colleagues to speak up when life feels overwhelming.

Suicide is often described through statistics, but it is lived through stories. Behind every number is a person, a family, and a community dealing with shock, grief, and unanswered questions.

Matt knows how silent struggle can be. It has been over fifteen years since he last saw his dad, a kind and loving teacher who battled mental health challenges that were never resolved. At the time, Matt did not know anything was wrong. His parents had separated, but he maintained strong relationships with both. He and his dad spoke often, usually about sport, music and the future, but not about the feelings underneath.

His last memory of his dad is a happy one. Just days before it happened, his dad drove him to university, they listened to Springsteen, met friends, and laughed. Looking back, Matt sometimes wonders whether different conversations might have changed what happened. He will never know. What he does know is that he wishes his dad had felt able to share his vulnerability and that support had felt closer within reach when he needed it most.

Sim’s story is another reminder that pain is not always visible. At 15, despite loving, understanding parents and a seemingly stable environment, she attempted suicide. Diagnosed with chronic migraine at eight, she spent seven years in and out of hospital.

A lifelong merit holder and passionate about running and taekwondo, she suddenly watched her world shrink during adolescence as constant pain, restrictions, and medical routines took over.

To others, Sim appeared bright and capable, travelling abroad to visit family and performing well in school. Yet internally she felt worn down by constant physical pain and the emotional toll of losing the life she imagined, again and again. Her experience taught her a lasting lesson: never judge a book by its cover. It also reinforced something equally important, reaching out is not weakness. Talking openly with her parents helped her face what she was carrying and begin to heal. Thirteen years later, she could not have imagined becoming a policy adviser in the Civil Service, yet that is exactly where she is now.

These stories share a crucial truth. Mental ill health does not always arise from visible hardship. It can grow quietly, even where love and support exist. That is why we cannot rely on appearances and why Time to Talk Day is so important. A small conversation can create a ripple that reaches further than we expect.

What can you do on time to talk day?

You do not need the perfect words, and you do not need to be a mental health expert. The most helpful thing you can do is create a moment of safety and humanity.

That could look like:

• Asking a gentle question such as, “How are you really doing?”
• Listening without rushing to fix things
• Letting someone know they are not alone
• Encouraging them to take the next step towards support

Sometimes, simply knowing that their pain is seen, and that help exists, can make all the difference.

Want to take the next step with us?

This Time to Talk Day, join Steve for a short introduction talk to learn more about the free and confidential support available to you and your family, as well as the different ways you can get involved.

Support when life gets tricky

If you are struggling, or you are worried about someone else, you can find practical guidance, tools and support through our Health and Wellbeing pages.

You can also explore our wider Help and Advice content if you are looking for support with money worries, caring responsibilities, wellbeing, or unexpected change.

With thanks

A sincere thank you to Sim and Matt for sharing their lived experiences with such care and honesty. Speaking openly about suicide and mental health is never easy, but their contributions help reduce stigma and remind colleagues that support is available, and that reaching out is a strength.

If you are in a crisis

If you are in immediate danger, or you are thinking about suicide, please contact emergency services or a crisis support service straight away. If you can, tell someone you trust what is happening and stay with them while you seek urgent help.

A final thought

As the saying goes, to the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world. Time to Talk Day is a reminder that small acts of care matter. A conversation does not solve everything, but it can open a door and for someone who feels trapped, that door can be the beginning of hope.