Mental ill health currently effects 1 in 6 people. The pandemic and cost of living crisis is likely to increase this statistic.

9 out of 10 people who need support for their mental health say that stigma and discrimination is a barrier to seeking the support they need.

This isn’t acceptable – as individuals, a group, a community and as a society, we need to collectively work together to challenge the stigma associated with mental ill health to ensure that people feel comfortable and able to talk about their emotional health so that they do not fear getting the support they need and deserve.

We need to #Chat4Change

Chat4Change day, established by the Kaleidoscope Plus Group is taking place on Friday 19th August and we are encouraging everyone to take a break, down tools, sit back, take some time out and check in on our family, friends, colleagues – and ourselves. Mental illness isn’t always obvious and sometime those of us who are smiling on the outside can be the ones who are actually struggling on the inside and need help. The opportunity to chat with someone who is really listening can be the first important step in getting the help we need.

We want everyone to feel able to talk openly about how they feel, during the bad times as well as the good times and normalise talking about our emotional wellbeing.

We know talking about mental health can feel difficult, so we’ve come up with five tips for starting a conversation this Chat4Change Day – Head to our How To Start A Conversation Tip Sheet!

WHAT IS CHAT4CHANGE?

Every year, Chat4Change Day, is a day dedicated to checking in with each other and ourselves, ensuring we create safe spaces at work for colleagues to chat and unwind and by making that extra effort to contact someone by phone or text. The aim is to normalise talking about mental health so that days like Chat4Change are no longer needed.

We all have times when our mental health is good and we feel well, content, and positive. But we all have times of struggle too. We might feel low or anxious or stressed. During those times we might feel we need to put on a brave face. This can often do more harm than good as those around us are unlikely to know that we are struggling so may not be able to offer us the support we need – and without support, those hard times can be really difficult and lonely, despite the smile we give the world.

Talking openly about how we feel, during the good times and the bad, is a powerful way of challenging the stigma that exists around mental health.
So grab a coffee, and get chatting! Remember, it’s ok not to be ok, and there is support and help available.

Anyone who needs support can text TeamKPG to 85258 for free confidential advice. This service is available 24/7

WHY PARTICIPATE IN CHAT4CHANGE?

Nearly nine out of ten people with mental ill health say that stigma and discrimination have a negative effect on their lives. Stigma stops people from talking about how they feel and stops them getting the help they need. We want to challenge this stigma. Chat4Change is your way of helping us to do this – but moreover encouraging those who need support to come forward and seek help. We need your help to spread the word – one chat at a time – that it’s ok to not be ok, and there is support and help available.

We need you to help us Chat4Change.