It’s time to talk about mental health

Mental health champion Sandeep Saib, 34, discusses her mental health and wellbeing journey, and explains why it’s important to talk – and listen – ahead of Time to Talk Day on 2 February. 

Why do our attitudes towards mental health matter? Approximately 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 10 children in the UK experience mental health issues every year, but most of us feel pressured to answer ‘I’m fine’ when someone asks how we’re doing.  

Perhaps we worry that we’ll be stigmatised or discriminated against if we answer differently. Perhaps we’ve been told that a stiff upper lip is the only acceptable response to depression, stress or anxiety.  

That was true for me in early 2014 when I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). I eventually tried to take my own life on 29 August 2014.  

I am one of the lucky ones. I got professional help and learned to love and accept myself. And this experience ended up being a catalyst for me to start helping others. Today, I support several mental health charities and organisations as a Lived/Living Experience Mental Health Advocate.

The first mental health charity I came across was Time To Change. They were exhibiting at a ‘Changing Minds’ mental health event in London, so I signed up to become a Time To Change Champion. What resonated with me was that it really focused on people’s lived experience of mental health and their voices being a powerful driver in combating stigma and discrimination.  

Since then, I’ve been doing advocacy work championing mental health. I speak at events at schools, at other charities and organisations, and businesses. I find it extremely rewarding, and I’ve learnt so much. Priceless.  

Why it’s good to talk  

Talking is important because it’s not always good to internalise thoughts or emotions. You need to communicate, you need to vocalise. It’s like an elastic band – the more you go through life’s trials and tribulations, the more the strain mounts, and it can eventually break. It’s important to remember that we talk openly about physical health and activity, but mental health is not talked about in the same light.  

Mental health is also invisible – if you can’t see something, you can’t do anything about it. It’s difficult to get an understanding of where someone’s at mentally, and the only way to understand what’s really going on in a person’s life is to communicate as soon as you can – when it’s comfortable for them, and when they feel safe to do so.  

Talking needs to be advocated more. But listening is just as important as talking – it’s a two-way relationship. To show you are listening is a sign of respect. It’s not just listening proactively, but also listening in the right manner, listening out for certain words, and noticing body language. It’s the whole package that makes talking about mental health effective.  

Mental health is everyone’s business – 24/7.  

Not just a day 

Time To Talk Day is about getting the message out there. In my case, it boosted my self-confidence and helped me see the good I can do for others. And just knowing that mental health doesn’t define you can give you strength. It’s all about celebrating who you are as a person. 

Another benefit is knowing that you’re not alone; you’re in a safe space with people who have gone through similar struggles. You’re able to share, network, get to know one another… you start to build a family, a community.  

The third benefit is that it has opened doors to opportunities I thought I would never have. It’s given me a platform to branch out and try different things, such as speaking and sharing my story. The reach is astonishing, and it surprises me every day. It’s something I thought I would never do, come out and share my story, and be someone that people can talk to and connect with. I never thought of myself like that. The overall journey has been overwhelmingly inspiring. 

I know there’s only one Time to Talk Day, but mental health should never be seen as a one-day thing. We should be encouraged to talk about it every single day.  

Co-op is supporting Time to Talk Day on the 2nd of February and is raising money to help provide new services in more than 50 local communities across the UK to support people’s mental wellbeing.  

However you do it, start a conversation about mental health. Visit timetotalkday.co.uk to order a free starter pack to help you talk about mental health in your community.