Time To Talk Day is a national campaign dedicated to sparking open conversations about mental health. It encourages everyone to take a moment to check in, connect with and support each other, and ask the question – how are you feeling?

Opening up about how you’re feeling or asking someone that you’re concerned about how they’re feeling can feel daunting. Mental health affects us all, yet it can still be difficult to talk about. Sometimes, the hardest part is knowing where to start.

Let’s look at some tips to help you start the conversation:

• Choose the right moment: Approach the person with your concerns and highlight what you’ve noticed, inviting them to chat with you.
• Choose the right setting: Choose a setting where they feel comfortable. This could be over coffee or while going for a walk - ask them if they have a preference!
• Listen without judgement: Listen to understand and communicate in an empathetic and non-judgemental way. Let them share without jumping in with advice.
• Ask open questions: Instead of "How are you?" try "How have you been feeling lately?" or "Is there anything on your mind?"
• Give information and offer support: It’s incredibly common to face mental health challenges, with 1 in 5 adults in Northern Ireland having a mental health condition at any one time. It’s also important to share that with the right treatment, many people recover from mental ill-health, and many mental illnesses can be managed.
• Encourage professional support: Encourage professional support such as their GP, local mental health services, and helplines such as Lifeline: 0808 808 8000.
• Encourage other support: Encourage other supports such as talking about how they feel with loved ones, the importance of good rest, and finding an exercise they enjoy.

 

You Are Not Alone – We’re Here to Help

It’s important to remember that no one has to face their mental health struggles alone. AWARE NI offers in-person and online mental health support groups for anyone living with low mood, depression, anxiety, or bipolar. Our groups provide a safe space to share experiences, connect with others, and gain support from people who understand what you're going through.

They are available to anyone 18 or over, FREE to use, and there are no waiting lists.

Find your nearest support group by clicking HERE.

 

2024 Support Group Attendee Survey: Key Findings

We are excited to announce the launch of our 2024 Support Group Attendee Survey results. These findings reflect the voices of individuals who have accessed AWARE’s services, and we’re proud to highlight some key insights:

• Almost all would recommend AWARE’s services: 97% of respondents would recommend an AWARE NI support group to others.
• Positive impact of support groups: Almost all participants found AWARE NI support groups helped with their feelings of anxiety (98%), depression (96%), and isolation (95%)
• A safe environment: 84% highlighted that the groups were a safe place to talk, and 80% sharing that they felt understood and supported.
• Increased demand for more services: Many participants highlighted the desire to see more support groups in more locations.

These results underscore the positive impact that peer support and talking with people who understand can have.

Please read the full report for more of our findings.

This Time To Talk Day, we encourage you to start a conversation about mental health. Whether checking in with a friend or joining one of our support groups, every conversation can help make a difference. Let’s continue breaking the stigma and showing that we’re here to support each other.

Tags: AWARE | Depression | Mental Health | Northern Ireland | Report | Support Group | Support Group Attendee Report | Support Groups | Time To Talk