Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Time to Change Wales has found that 1 in 5 people in Wales feel their support network has shrunk, saying that they now have fewer people they can talk to about their mental health problems.
Results from Time to Change Wales’ survey show that over 40% of people believe that their support system has shrunk due to not being able to meet and talk face-to-face, and not wanting to feel like a burden by sharing their problems to others. However, 30% of respondents feel that their shrinking support system is caused by being isolated from their friends and family.
The survey has also found that 1 in 5 of those in work or studying have not taken any time off for their mental health, even though they felt they needed to. These extremely concerning findings reinforces our message on the importance to talk openly about mental health.
This year’s theme is focused on the power of small — because however you have a conversation about mental health – whether it’s a quick message to a friend or colleague, a virtual coffee morning or a socially distanced walk and talk – it has the power to make a big difference.
Mental health problems can affect one in four of us, so it’s important to be able to talk about it. Our survey has also discovered that talking openly about mental health makes a positive difference, with 9 in 10 feeling very or somewhat supported when they have spoken to someone about their mental health.
Time to Change Wales has also partnered up with Ramblers Cymru to amplify the combined message of taking care of your mental wellbeing and physical health by walking and talking. Sometimes it’s easier to have a conversation about mental health whilst doing something active such as walking in a local park.
Time to Talk Day is an annual event in the UK that encourages everyone to be more open about mental health – to talk, to listen, to make a difference. We want to get everyone in Wales to challenge mental health stigma and to be open about talking about it.
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