EXCLUSIVE INSIGHT INTO THE HISTORY OF TIME TO TALK DAY ON I’M NOT DISORDERED | TIME TO TALK DAY 2026

‘Time to Talk Day 2026 will be held on 5 February 2026. This event is a significant initiative aimed at promoting open conversations about mental health and wellbeing, encouraging individuals to listen and share their experiences. It is a day for everyone to come together to break down stigma and support one another's mental health.’

Time to Talk Day - Mind

You won’t believe how stressful this post has been! So, it usually takes me about a week to create a blog post of a decent length and the graphics to accompany it, but it wasn’t until February 3^rd that I realised Time To Talk Day was coming up very soon and I had no content for it! At first, I messaged fellow mental health Blogger Martin Baker (of www.gumonmyshoe.com) and I said it was only two days – but when I started writing content that was about prioritising and the fact that my Mum’s Birthday is the same day of Time To Talk Day I realised that’s actually three days (Mum’s Birthday is February 6^th). Then, I googled and it turns out Time To Talk Day is just the first Thursday of February and that yes, this usually lands on the 6^th but this year it is actually the 5^th – so my maths ended up, sadly, being correct and I was back to not only rushing the content but also, finding a new topic because it is, in fact, not on my Mum’s Birthday(!). So, with two days’ notice, the best I could do was to run through the archive of previous Time To Talk Day posts and providing some insider, exclusive insight into each one…

MENTAL HEALTH & CREATIVITY | IN COLLABORATION WITH TIME TO CHANGE STORYCAMP 2020

We’ve reached the end of Time To Change’s Storycamp this year and the final briefing is all about creativity with the intention of content creators deciding on their own theme; but I liked the idea of just writing about creativity and how it can impact mental health…


I’d say that I’ve always been creative; when I was little, I used to love cutting things out of magazines and catalogues and making collages from them with my Nana. But I think my biggest creative outlet was through writing. I used to write so many short stories – mainly about horses because I was absolutely obsessed with them and took riding lessons for a while – that my Mum and Nana would read. I’d watch their reactions; a laugh or a smile, and it taught me the power words can have over the reader’s thoughts and feelings.


As I got older, I began developing a fascination with the idea of working in Fashion and decided to opt for Textiles as an exam subject in High School. Unfortunately, the subject’s Teacher was probably the least encouraging person in the world! The criticism she was full of was never constructive, and she was forever filling my head with doubts on my ability in the subject. I became so sceptical that by the end of the exams I had lost all interest and passion for drawing or being creative in any way.

TIME TO CHANGE STORYCAMP 2020 THEME TWO: THREE THINGS

Every two weeks from June 1^st until August 24^th 2020, Time To Change will be giving those who have signed up to StoryCamp, a theme to use as inspiration to create content on. This fortnight, the theme is ‘three things…’ and I couldn’t decide on one topic I’d like you to know three things about so here are thirteen…!!

Three Things You Should Know About Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

1.       Having the same diagnosis does not mean everyone with BPD has the same symptoms.

2.       Those diagnosed with BPD are not attention seekers

3.       Even mental health staff have a stigma against those with BPD

Three Things You Should Know About Being Sectioned

1.       It feels like you have a sign on your head telling everyone you’re detained under the Mental Health Act

TIME TO CHANGE STORYCAMP 2020 THEME ONE: WHY I BELIEVE IT’S IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH

You've got the words to change a nation
But you're biting your tongue
You've spent a life time stuck in silence
Afraid you'll say something wrong
If no one ever hears it how we gonna learn your song?

…
You've got a heart as loud as lightning
So why let your voice be tamed?
Maybe we're a little different
There's no need to be ashamed
You've got the light to fight the shadows
So stop hiding it away

Read All About It – Emeli Sande

Every two weeks from June 1^st until August 24^th 2020, Time To Change will be giving those who have signed up to StoryCamp, a theme to use as inspiration to create content on. This fortnight, the theme is ‘why I believe it’s important to talk about mental health.’


When my mental health first began to deteriorate in 2009, I couldn’t even consider the prospect of telling someone or asking for help. For me, it wasn’t an option. Back then, there was really no talk of mental health – no one told us about it in School, there was very little in the media, and my friends didn’t ever mention if they were struggling. I assumed this meant that it was taboo and a bit of a forbidden subject that was something to either be ashamed of or to just deny was occurring. 


So, when I started experiencing auditory hallucinations aged 18 (two years after the abuse had ‘ended’) I was so terrified at what it meant and the worry that I was ‘going crazy’ left me convinced that I’d be locked away in the local psychiatric hospital that I’d heard horror stories about! Looking back, had I known what I know now about mental health and services, if I’d gotten help when the hallucinations first started, maybe I wouldn’t have ended up attempting suicide two weeks after they’d begun. Unfortunately, though, it took taking an overdose and being sectioned under the 1983 Mental Health Act before I finally opened up and talked about my mental health.

TIME TO TALK DAY 2020

https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/get-involved/time-talk-day

This year, for Time To Talk Day I’ll be celebrating my Mum’s Birthday so I’ve had to reject all of the event invitations for the day and decided instead to schedule this post in advance so that I can really dedicate my day to my Mum!


Note: For 2020’s Time To Talk Day, Time To Change have chosen to base the theme around the popular game; ‘Would You Rather?’ so this blog post will be in keeping with that…


Would You Rather is a bit of a controversial topic in mental health I think because a lot of people are very – and rightly so – defensive of their actions and decisions where mental health is concerned and particularly where self-harm is involved. I guess that a lot of that comes from the feeling that self-harm isn’t very often a ‘decision’ because it can sound as though a person is choosing to self-harm rather than feeling that it isn’t an option. Of course, if it were, then they wouldn’t choose self-harm and all of the negative consequences that come from it! Another reasoning for some finding the idea of mental health being a choice is the thought of what has led them to be struggling the way that they are. For me, if I could have made any decisions around the trauma, I went through which triggered my ill mental health, then I would have most definitely opted to have not experienced any of it! Or would I?! And here’s where Would You Rather comes in!

'EMPATHY SHOULD BE A MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDER'S BEST-FRIEND' | TIME TO TALK DAY

So, I’ve had a few comments today asking if I’m actually going to write something for Time To Talk Day 2019 since my two posts so far have been penned by others (haven’t seen them? (They’re here and here!) With the theme that talking about mental health will help rid us of the stigma, I thought I’d talk about why talking is just the beginning of things…

When I started experiencing auditory hallucinations I had never felt so alone. It sounds ironic but the second I started to hear voices, it felt as though I was the only person in the world. I think that a large part of this came from the fact that mental health – and most importantly; voice hearing - was rarely talked about in 2009 and so it held huge, stigmatized connotations and assumptions. I, personally, had only ever heard horror stories about my local psychiatric hospital so being admitted there was a huge shock to the system… and attitude! taught me that mental ill health doesn’t discriminate; it can happen to anyone and calling those people ‘crazy’ or ‘mental’ says more about you than it does about them.

It’s important though, that it shouldn’t take another person experiencing mental ill health to have some understanding of someone who already does! Empathy should be a mental health service provider’s best-friend; the ability to understand another person’s experiences is a difficult art in mental health.

TIME TO TALK DAY 2019 ... WITH GUESTS!!

Happy Time To Talk Day!

https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/get-involved/timetotalkday2019 

For Time To Talk Day 2019 I spoke to a number of individuals and got their thoughts on the benefits of talking about mental health…

@Meandmymhmatter, Blogger at Me and My Mental Health Matters 

Talking about mental health helps people feel less alone and less isolated. Sharing my story not only helps others but it helps my feel less ashamed of myself. Also, it helps break down the stigma surrounding mental health and shows people that it can happen to anyone.

Charlotte Underwood, Author and Blogger 

THE BENEFITS OF TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH BY PAUL NICOL, PEER SUPPORT WORKER | TIME TO TALK DAY 2019 | GUEST POST

With this being the eve of Time To Talk Day 2019, I asked Peer Support Worker; Paul Nicol what he thought the benefits are of talking about mental health...

Quite a question to be asked. My trusty armour automatically attaches to me, offering protection at first consideration. Like some sci-fi character, I feel the chunks of metal bolt on to me as my first thought is....... there is no benefit for me. That first thought is a response to the shame I carry of mental health having influenced large chunks of my life. Why would I tell anyone that I felt worthless, pathetic, weak and struggle to survive the now, let alone consider a future? Why would I tell anyone that the monkey on my back keeps me in a regretful past of underachievement; losing job after job because I was just too lazy to get out of bed? Why would I tell anyone that I self-medicated for years and found cannabis and alcohol gave me a reason to continue and chemicals gave me a weekend party to look forward to? I’m vulnerable enough, with all of this, why would I tell anyone about my mental health?

27 THINGS I'M THANKFUL FOR | MY TWENTY SEVENTH BIRTHDAY!!

1.     My Mum

      2.     R

3.     Dolly

4.     Pixie

THE IMPORTANCE OF STANDING UP FOR SOMETHING

I am not a stranger to the dark
Hide away, they say
'Cause we don't want your broken parts
I've learned to be ashamed of all my scars
Run away, they say
No one'll love you as you are

But I won't let them break me down to dust
I know that there's a place for us
For we are glorious

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I'm meant to be, this is me
Look out 'cause here I come
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum
I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me

Another round of bullets hits my skin
Well, fire away 'cause today, I won't let the shame sink in
We are…

Another round of bullets hits my skin
Well, fire away 'cause today, I won't let the shame sink in
We are bursting through the barricades and
Reaching for the sun (we are warriors)
Yeah, that's what we've become (yeah, that's what we've become)

I won't let them break me down to dust
I know that there's a place for us
For we are glorious

- This Is Me - Keala Settle, The Greatest Showman

So recently, I went to the cinema with one of my bestfriend’s (and bridesmaid), Lauren; to see The Greatest Showman. I don’t want to include any spoilers, so I’ll just say… it was incredible!

But also… in it, Hugh Jackman plays a man who, massively, invests (not just financially) in his ideas. When others tell him he’s wrong, or try to take something away from his successes, he stands up to them and refuses to minimise or ignore his dreams and imagination.

TIME TO TALK DAY WITH I'M NOT DISORDERED | PART FOUR

TALKING ALL THINGS MENTAL HEALTH WITH NORTHUMBERLAND, TYNE & WEAR NHS FOUNDATION TRUST CHIEF EXECUTIVE, JOHN LAWLOR | PART ONE

TALKING ALL THINGS MENTAL HEALTH WITH NORTHUMBERLAND, TYNE & WEAR NHS FOUNDATION TRUST CHIEF EXECUTIVED, JOHN LAWLOR | PART TWO

TIME TO TALK DAY WITH I'M NOT DISORDERED | PART TWO

TALKING ALL THINGS MENTAL HEALTH WITH NORTHUMBERLAND, TYNE & WEAR NHS FOUNDATION TRUST CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CAROLINE WILD

WELCOME TO TIME TO TALK DAY WITH I'M NOT DISORDERED | PART ONE

The goal of Time To Talk Day (set up by the organisation Time To Change) is that it dedicates one day in particular, for those who support the cause in talking more openly about mental health in order to reduce the stigma of it. It’s highly recognised now, that one of the greatest roots of mental health stigma is the reluctance to talk about it. To have conversations about daily struggles. And to open up and tell others about your own mental ill health to encourage them to do the same so that people are more likely to both, ask for support/help, and/or recognise that judging those in similar situations is wrong and inappropriate.

Here at I’m NOT Disordered, mental health is, pretty much, the name of the game! I don’t know if some of you know this or not – or will even believe it – but there were a few years when I didn’t talk about my mental health. Ironically, it was probably the years that I really needed to; but I was still quite young (18-21); an age bracket that, I feel, is at the height of the stigmatised views against mental health.

POST NINE: #TimeToTalk Day in collaboration with Time To Change | Ad

#TimetoTalk

Hello!

This year, Time to Change (TTC) have worked in partnership, with I’m NOT Disordered on a exclusive series of projects for Time To Talk Day (TTD). Sadly, this is the final post for that series so I'd just like to say some thank yous to... Seb and the rest of the TTC media team for the partnership, TTC [just, in general], and to all of those who have contributed to the series: Angela Slater, Martin (Marty) Baker, Angharad May, Caroline Wild, Alexandria Readman, and Vicky McNally! 

                   
                    

Questions completed by Claire Andre, Police Liaison Lead, Northumberland, Tyne &Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LovelyClaireyA

https://www.ntw.nhs.uk/

Can you tell us about the worst (least helpful, most upsetting, anger-provoking etc) talk you’ve had with another person regarding mental health?

The circumstances are deliberately vague to protect the identity of those involved. 

One conversation sticks with me now, from probably approximately 17years ago. I was a student nurse on placement, quite early in my training. So some may find hard to believe but I was quite quiet and not very confident. I was talking to a family member whose young son was having a first admission, he had recently been diagnosed with schizophrenia. I was talking with the family member as my mentor was busy gathering information for her. 
She turned to me with so much emotion in her voice and asked why, why it had to happen to her son. A question I couldn't answer. I tried to comfort her the best I could and listen. What she said next will always stick with me and I felt so emotional "Why couldn't it be a broken arm, I can explain and understand that to family and neighbours. To be honest I would find it easier to say he was convicted for a serious crime and in prison then tell people he has schizophrenia." My heart broke there and then and I tried my best to reassure and support the person. A conversation very much about stigma that has always stuck with me.

POST EIGHT: #TimeToTalk Day in collaboration with Time To Change | Ad

#TimeToTalk

Hello!

This year, Time to Change (TTC) will be working in partnership, with I’m NOT Disordered on a exclusive series of projects for Time To Talk Day (TTD) on February 2nd. 

Questions completed by Vicky McNally, Corporate Governance Director, Cygnet Healthcare

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VickyMcNally1

Cygnet: https://www.cygnethealth.co.uk/

Can you tell us about the worst (least helpful, most upsetting, anger-provoking etc) talk you’ve had with another person regarding mental health?

A conversation with a taxi driver- I remember feeling surprised by his complete lack of understanding and belief in stereotypes.  

Most of my routine contact is with informed and empathetic individuals- it was a sharp reminder that there is much work to do to educate & raise awareness about mental health.

POST SEVEN: #TimeToTalk Day in collaboration with Time To Change | Ad

#TimeToTalk

Hello!

This year, Time to Change (TTC) will be working in partnership, with I’m NOT Disordered on a exclusive series of projects for Time To Talk Day (TTD) on February 2nd. 

Questions completed by Alexandria Readman, Mental Health Blogger & Time To Change Champion 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Alxrdmn

Blog: https://howaymangethappy.wordpress.com/

Photography: R J Photography

Can you tell us about the worst (least helpful, most upsetting, anger-provoking etc) talk you’ve had with another person regarding mental health?


First of all I’d like to make it clear that although not every conversation we have about mental health will go smoothly, every time you talk about mental health openly you are helping to break down the stigma that surrounds it. However, we still a long way to go, and along the way inevitably we will encounter a few unhelpful and infuriatingly close-minded attitudes towards mental illnesses. Here are three of the most unhelpful things people have actually said to me regarding my mental health.

1. “A lot of people your age feel this way – it may just be hormones” –  A GP.
2. “You honestly don’t look like there is anything wrong with you!” – A former employer.
3. “But I don’t understand why you have depression.” – A close friend. X

POST SIX: #TimeToTalk Day in collaboration with Time To Change | Ad

#TimeToTalk

Hello!

This year, Time to Change (TTC) will be working in partnership, with I’m NOT Disordered on a exclusive series of projects for Time To Talk Day (TTD) on February 2nd. 

Questions completed by Caroline Wild, Deputy Director, Communications & Corporate Relations, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Can you tell us about the worst (least helpful, most upsetting, anger-provoking etc) talk you’ve had with another person regarding mental health?

I work in an NHS mental health and disability trust and often work with the public and people in other organisations in relation to mental health services.  I have seen attitudes toward mental health improve dramatically over the years, but sometimes things still happen which take my breath away (and not in a good way).  Last year we did a survey with the public about mental health and a frighteningly high number of people said that they didn’t think someone with depression could do a difficult job.  It still shocks me to remember that not everyone appreciates that we all experience mental health problems from time to time.  It doesn’t make people unable to do their jobs or have the kind of everyday lives that they have.

POST FIVE: #TimeToTalk Day in collaboration with Time To Change | Ad

#TimeToTalk

Hello!

This year, Time to Change (TTC) will be working in partnership, with I’m NOT Disordered on a exclusive series of projects for Time To Talk Day (TTD) on February 2nd. 

Questions completed by Angharad May, Mental Health Blogger, featured in Channel 4 Documentary: On the Edge and Online

Can you tell us about the worst (least helpful, most upsetting, anger-provoking etc) talk you’ve had with another person regarding mental health?

I was talking to a mental health professional who told me that I simply had to 'leave the past in the past' when I was experiencing flashbacks; that I should just 'distract myself'; that I wasn't 'trying hard enough' in my recovery and compared me to someone who had apparently tried and fought much harder than me; that other clients were much worse off than me; that I was 'attention-seeking'; that I was 'messing around' when I couldn't eat; and that I was 'pretending to be psychotic' when I was hallucinating and hearing voices. A lot of other things were said which I cannot talk about. This conversation, or rather several conversations with this person, made me feel frightened of them, of this person who I was supposed to be able to trust to help me get better. I was also frightened that they had turned other people against me too, which made it even more difficult for me to trust. I was in hospital, and pretty vulnerable, when the conversations took place. I disagreed with pretty much everything that was said to me, but didn't have the confidence or assertiveness skills to be able to stand up for myself, and then I began to doubt myself and in turn believed what was said to me, which then sent me into a massive downward spiral. This conversation had a very negative impact on me and my hard work in recovery. However, I have become strong enough to now turn this negative into a positive. I am proving them wrong, and getting myself better in so doing.  

POST FOUR: #TimeToTalk Day in collaboration with Time To Change | Ad

#TimeToTalk

Hello!

This year, Time to Change (TTC) will be working in partnership, with I’m NOT Disordered on a exclusive series of projects for Time To Talk Day (TTD) on February 2nd. 

Questions completed by Martin (Marty) Baker, Mental Health
Author and Blogger

Can you tell us about the worst (least helpful, most upsetting, anger-provoking etc) talk you’ve had with another person regarding mental health?

My scariest experience happened in 2013 while my American best friend Fran, who lives with bipolar disorder (also chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia) was traveling in Europe with her parents. We'd been friends just over two years and despite the distance I was (and am) her main support and carer. Fran found the trip incredibly stressful. It was the most difficult time she'd experienced in years, and the hardest for us as friends because although we kept in touch we didn't have the usual frequency of calls. At the time this happened, Fran was in a mixed state of depression and mania. She was anxious, self medicating with food, alcohol and cigarettes, and frequently suicidal.

One evening we were on the phone, the first call we'd managed in several days. I was in my garden at home. Fran was in a restaurant. Her parents were across town in the hotel. She sounded drunk and I pulled her up on how much she was drinking. Later in the call she said "If I don’t make it back to the hotel, I need Mom to know how much I love her.” She'd never spoken like that before but I didn't question her about it, I think because I'd already told her off about her drinking. After the call I got scared. What if Fran had intended - consciously or unconsciously - to take her life. I waited for her to let me know she'd got back to the hotel but she didn't. I messaged and texted her but there was no reply. I didn't actually think she intended suicide but I couldn't take it for granted. It was a horrible feeling.

Around five thirty in the morning, Fran got in touch. She'd been sick when she got to the hotel and the wifi was down and she had a poor phone signal so she couldn't let me know. She couldn't remember talking about her Mom but was sure she hadn't been suicidal. Nevertheless, it taught me to pay close attention, and never to dismiss or ignore anything that feels odd or dangerous. We both learned from it. We've been in similar situations since, and I always bring "red flag" behaviour or comments to Fran's attention so we can talk about them.

POST THREE: #TimeToTalk Day in collaboration with Time To Change | Ad

#TimeToTalk

Hello!

This year, Time to Change (TTC) will be working in partnership, with I’m NOT Disordered on a exclusive series of projects for Time To Talk Day (TTD) on February 2nd.

Questions completed by Angela Slater, Community Equalities

Co-ordinator, Time To Change

Can you tell us about the worst (least helpful, most upsetting, anger-provoking etc) talk you’ve had with another person regarding mental health?

Since joining Time to Change I find that most conversations about mental health are useful even if the person’s attitude towards mental health is negative as I know I is not personal and is a result of stigma. I really enjoy the conversations talking to people who in the past I would have found offensive as I see it as a real opportunity to raise awareness and challenge stigma and prejudice which is always great.

 However I had an experience around a year ago where my GP dismissed a physical health issue based on my mental health experience. Later that day I ended up in hospital for a week due to my physical health after being told by my GP to go home and ‘calm down’ (in a patronising tone). This really upset me at the time. I know that many people do not always get the appropriate physical health care if they experience mental health problems. This was difficult as they were in a position of power over my health and I was in a lot of pain and fear.