Take 5 to Make the Difference to Mental Wellbeing

Thursday February 5^th 2015 is Time to Talk Day, which is your chance to take five minutes to make a difference to someone’s mental wellbeing. This is an initiative started by Time to Change to get people talking about mental health in the workplace and elsewhere.

Our mental wellbeing impacts on all aspects of our lives and those close to us. It is estimated that 1 in 4 of us have a mental health problem in any year, yet it can be very difficult to talk about it. This can be related to depression, anxiety, stress or to more serious challenges. It is important to start to have these conversations, as talking about it can help us on the road to recovery. It can help reduce the isolation that stigma or prejudice can bring. Sometimes it’s the little things you do that can make a big difference to someone who is facing this challenge.

Five simple things you can choose to do to support someone:

1. Talk to someone, but listen too. Simply being there will mean a lot. Actively listening is a wonderful gift to give someone and show respect.
2. Keep in touch and agree to meet up, phone, email or text. Let them know you care and are thinking of them.
3. You don’t need to just talk about mental health. Chat about everyday things and what they are interested in.
4. Remind them you care. Small things can make a big difference.
5. Be patient, as today may not be a good day for them. You can help it be a little better.

Five simple things you can choose to do to help yourself:

1. Take your breaks. When under pressure, it’s all too easy to work through lunch and permitted breaks. Breaks are a chance to exercise, change the scene and get some fresh air. Your brain needs fresh oxygen to thrive.
2. Talk to someone rather than bottle it up. Ask for help if you need it.
3. Celebrate your success and what you have achieved rather than ‘beating yourself up’ for what you haven’t done. When you look at your job list at the end of the day, do you focus on what you have ticked off or those not done?
4. Establish a good balance in your life with work and non-work activities. Meeting with positive friends or being involved in enjoyable activities stimulates the brain.
5. Find out what in-house support is available in your workplace or discover the wealth of organisations wanting to support you. You do not have to face the challenge alone.

From my own personal experiences and those of people that I know, mental ill-health can strike at any time and it can be a long road back. Feeling isolated can make that journey all the harder. As an employer, colleague, or friend, you can help someone by showing you care. You can provide five minutes of calm in an otherwise hectic world. You never know where it can lead.

It is only 5 minutes on the 5^th that you can choose to make a difference to someone’s mental wellbeing, which may impact on that person for a lifetime.

What will you choose to do?