TAKE 10 TOGETHER
The annual global celebration of mental health education, awareness and advocacy is on 10th October 2019. Mental Health First Aid England is asking us all to use the day as an opportunity to engage in a conversation of mental health.
Around 10 million people will experience a mental health issue each year in the UK. Talking about mental health can help you and those around you to be happier and healthier. So this World Mental Health Day, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England is calling on everyone to ‘Take 10 Together’ – and have a meaningful 10 minute conversation - with a friend, a family member, a colleague or student about their mental health.
I am a qualified instructor to deliver the Mental Health First Aid course. MHFA teaches people the skills and confidence to recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues and effectively guide a person towards the right support. Having a 10 minute chat is the first step on that journey. 57% of UK employees say they have experienced mental health issues at work but less than half of that group felt confident to open up about it. We don’t often talk about our mental health so it might seem a little daunting to start a conversation about it but it’s important to remember you don’t have to be an expert.