Chat about mental health on Time to Talk Day

Thursday 7 February is Time to Talk Day 2019, part of an annual campaign that opens up conversations on mental health nationwide.

To mark the occasion, the Solent Wellbees – a group of student volunteers dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of other students – will be occupying a stall at the Refreshers’ Fayre, outlining various methods we can all use to maintain a healthy mental and physical wellbeing.

For various reasons, many people can shy away from the conversation of mental health. Time to Talk Day aims to get people challenging the stigma by opening up conversations on the subject.

There are many ways in which we can be aware of improving our own mental health: maintaining strong self-care practices, taking time out from our busy schedules, and being healthy and active.

Myths and facts

One of the positive methods the Wellbees use to strike up a conversation about mental health is to ask ‘Myth or fact?’ Which of the below statements do you think is a myth, and which are facts? The answers will be at the bottom of the page.

• We probably all work/study with someone experiencing a mental health problem.
• One in ten young people will experience a mental health problem.
• People with mental health illnesses are usually violent and unpredictable.
• Nine out of ten people with mental health problems experience stigma and discrimination.
• Mental health problems are very rare.

If you, or someone else you know, are struggling with your mental health and/or wellbeing, Time to Talk Day is a great way to support yourself or your friends. However you do it, have a conversation about mental health.

For more support or information on all the services available to you during your time here at Solent, contact the Student Hub. If you’d like more information on the Wellbees, please email andrew.shelley@solent.ac.uk

Answers: fact, fact, myth, fact, myth