A new survey has revealed that nearly a third of people in England (28%) would feel uncomfortable asking someone close to them about their mental health problem. When asked why, the top reasons people gave were that they would worry that it would make the other person feel uncomfortable or embarrassed (58%); that they wouldn’t know what to say (32%); that they would worry the other person wouldn’t want to talk about it with them (32%); and that they wouldn’t feel that they could help (27%).

The results come as Time to Change, the mental health anti-stigma programme run by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, launch a campaign ahead of World Mental Health Day (Saturday 10 October) to highlight the small things that can make a big difference when it comes to mental health. The survey conducted by YouGov[1] on behalf of Time to Change, aims to uncover the reasons why people might not feel comfortable broaching the topic of mental health and show that you don’t need to be an expert to support someone close with a mental health issue.

The survey asked how they would feel if someone close to them didn’t tell them that they had a mental health problem and 43% of people said that they would understand, because they would feel awkward talking about it too. However, the survey also found that a quarter of people (25%) would feel upset if they found out that someone didn’t feel that they could tell them about their mental health problem. 

As part of the latest campaign, a new film has been produced which focuses on people sharing their first experience of talking about mental health. These stories are also being played across the country with a series of radio ads. The campaign calls  on the public to discover the small things that they can do, such as asking someone how they’re doing or inviting someone round for a cup of tea, which can help to let people know that you’re thinking about them and can make a big difference to how they’re feeling. A collection of practical small things are available on the Time to Change website and have been suggested by people with their own experience of mental health problems or someone who has supported a friend, family member of colleague.

Angelique Winston, 41 from London is one of the stars of the new campaign film and talks about being there for her friend:

“After my friend told me that she was struggling with her mental health I felt an immense sense of relief and also privileged that I was the person that she opened up to. I was surprised because she was the strong one and she always was the one who could handle things. I just took her hand and said just keep on talking. I think it was just the action of holding her hand and just saying ‘keep talking, I’m listening’. 

“There doesn’t have to be grand gestures in supporting a loved one with a mental health problem. There are times when I haven’t heard from my friend for a few days. I’ll just send her a text to let her know that I’m thinking of her. Talking to someone about their mental health for the first time can be daunting but my biggest piece of advice would be to find someone you trust and then start the conversation, whatever way you feel comfortable and whatever the environment; just start that conversation.”

Sue Baker, Director of Time to Change, said:

“Mental health problems are an everyday issue for millions of us, yet our closest family, partners, friends and colleagues can still feel uncomfortable and ill-equipped to talk about it. Despite recent progress in starting to break down stigma, our latest survey shows that some people still worry about saying or doing the wrong thing so end up not talking about mental health at all.  Asking someone how they are, sending a text or arranging to meet up are some of the small but very meaningful gestures that can make the world of difference.  Having an open conversation about mental health is easier than people imagine, and our campaign shows people who had done just that, and the difference it has made to their lives.”

To find out about the small things you can do, or share some of your own, at www.time-to-change.org.uk and use #smallthings on social media.

You can view the national campaign video here: https://youtu.be/BFPvtthKmic

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For more information please contact Emma Warren, Senior Media Officer at Time to Change at [email protected] or call 0208 215 2358 or 07789 721966.

Notes to Editors

* Angelique is available for media interviews along with other people featured in the film.

** For access to a range of free images to accompany mental health news stories please visit: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/getthepicture. These images have been developed by the anti-stigma campaign Time to Change, run by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, and funded by the Department of Health, Comic Relief and the Big Lottery Fund.

Time to Change

Time to Change is England's most ambitious programme to end the stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental health problems. The programme is run by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, and funded by the Department of Health, Comic Relief and the Big Lottery Fund.

For more information go to www.time-to-change.org.uk

Department of Health

On 2 February 2011 the Department of Health launched No health without mental health, a cross-government mental health outcomes strategy for people of all ages which has the twin aims of keeping people well and improving their mental health and, when people are not well, improving their outcomes through high-quality services.

The strategy is based on six shared objectives, developed with partners from across the mental health sector, and focuses on recovery and the reduction of stigma and discrimination as overarching themes. 

To reduce the stigma faced by people with mental health problems, the Department has been supporting Time to Change, the anti-stigma campaign run by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, since 2011.

Comic Relief

Comic Relief is committed to supporting people living with mental health problems. The projects Comic Relief funds ensure people with mental health problems get their voices heard in the decisions that affect their lives and get the help they need to recover. Comic Relief also helps people to promote their rights and reduce the stigma and discrimination they face so that they feel more included in society. The funding of Time to Change represents Comic Relief’s largest UK grant and is part of the organisation’s long standing commitment to this issue. For more information go to www.comicrelief.com.

Big Lottery Fund

Big Lottery Fund supported the first phase of Time to Change with funding of over £20million, and in 2013 awarded the programme a further £3.6m from its Well-being programme to build on its success and work with targeted communities. Big Lottery Fund also supported the campaign’s roll out across Wales. They will be providing a further £1.1m to support the Time to Change campaign in 2015-16.

The Big Lottery Fund supports the aspirations of people who want to make life better for their communities across the UK. We are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes.

Since June 2004 we have awarded over £6.5billion to projects that make a difference to people and communities in need, from early years intervention to commemorative travel funding for World War Two veterans.

Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £34 billion has been raised and more than 450,000 grants awarded.