Call for Orkney to join conversation on mental health

For the first time ever this year Scotland is set to take part in a UK wide event to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination.

2018 will mark the first year that all countries in the UK are taking part in Time to Talk day, on Thursday, February 1, which is aiming to create the biggest conversation on mental health the country has seen.

See Me, the national programme to end mental health discrimination, wants to bring together schools, workplaces, hospitals and communities in Orkney to be part of the event.

They want people and organisations to hold Time to Talk events, which could be in gyms, cafes, at coffee mornings, in dedicated areas in workplaces and schools or anywhere else where people can chat about how they’re feeling, whether good or bad, and show we all have mental health.

Already running clubs, train stations and libraries have signed up to hold events on the day.

Calum Irving, See Me director, said: “2018 is set to be the biggest year yet for getting people talking about mental health.

“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.

“Wherever you are – at home, at work, visiting Skara Brae or up the top of mountain! – have your conversation about mental health this Time to Talk Day.”

More information is at www.seemescotland.org where event packs can be downloaded.