Somerset County Council is proud to support a range of ‘Time To Talk’ events co-ordinated across Somerset by charity MIND in Taunton and West Somerset.

The awareness day (Thursday 1st February 2018) funded by Somerset County Council is part of a nationwide push to change how we all think and act about mental health and get people talking more openly for one day, wherever they are – at home, school, or even at the top of a mountain!

Councillor Christine Lawrence, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing at Somerset County Council said: “Time to Talk Day is a fantastic opportunity to not only get people talking about mental health, but to also publicise and promote the wide range of ways mental health is supported across the county.”

Across Somerset there are a range of events highlighting the importance of talking about mental health:

• At Somerset County Council the staff volunteer Wellbeing Ambassadors will be on hand throughout the day to have chats about mental wellbeing with staff.

• Somerset Time To Change project have partnered up with Lloyds Bank to take the conversation out to the public. Four branches are opening their doors to the campaign. Staff at the branches have volunteered their time and have received ‘champion’ training at their branches to help them talk to customers about their mental wellbeing.

Thursday 1st February 0900 – 12.00 Yeovil Lloyds Bank
Thursday 1st February 14.00 – 17.00 Taunton Lloyds Bank
Friday 2nd February 0900 – 12.00 Wellington Lloyds Bank
Friday 2nd February 14.00 – 17.00 Bridgwater Lloyds Bank

• Heads Up in Wells will hold a coffee morning from 11am – 1pm to promote mental health.

• Chard Watch project is holding an Open House Event at Chard Rugby Club 11am – 4pm.

1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year with many people reporting that they experience stigma and discrimination. The campaign is aimed at encouraging people to talk about mental health in any way possible – sending a text, chatting over a cuppa, giving a friend a call to find out how they are, or inviting them out.

Sue Baker OBE, Director of Time to Change, said: “Mental health problems are common and can affect any one of us, yet too often people worry about being judged. It’s easy to think there’s no right place to talk about mental health. But the more we talk about it, the better life is for all of us and Time to Talk Day is a chance for everyone to open up – to talk, to listen, to change lives.”

To find out more about Somerset Time to Talk Day check out: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/get-involved/time-talk-day-2018

Heads Up Somerset https://www.headsupsomerset.org/

Chard Watch Project http://watchproject.org.uk/time-to-change-event-2018/

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For further information, please contact the Press Office on 01823 355020 or email pressoffice@somerset.gov.uk

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