Two thirds of people feel as though they have no one to talk to about their personal problems, a new poll shows.
A survey of 2,500 British adults found that 66% said they feel as though they have no one to talk to about topics such as mental health, money problems and relationships.
When asked why, the top reasons were never being able to find the right time, or the right place, according to the survey by the Time to Change project created by mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.
The more open we are about mental health, the better life can be for all of us. So change a life this #TimeToTalk Day and talk about #mentalhealth, wherever you are: https://t.co/B7aRDVd7nv pic.twitter.com/aDgu5awYkh
— Time to Change (@TimetoChange) January 29, 2018
More than a third (36%) said they can never find the right time to have a conversation of that nature and 28% said they could never find the right place.
And of these almost a quarter (22.5%) of people said they had waited for a year to find the “perfect” opportunity to discuss problems.
The survey was released to mark Time to Change’s campaign to encourage people to talk about their mental health problems.
Time to Talk Day encourages people to talk more openly about mental health.
Talking about mental health helps stop the shame and isolation felt by those of us with mental health problems. In the salon, the sauna or on a sailboat, talk about mental health this #TimetoTalk Day. pic.twitter.com/N5ULMk2FD9
— Time to Change (@TimetoChange) January 27, 2018
The campaign has been backed by celebrities including Fearne Cotton and Stephen Fry.
“We all need to work hard to change and remove the barriers to talking.
“Conversations have the power to change lives, wherever they take place. So whether you’re at home, at work, in the cinema, or even in the car, Time to Talk Day is the perfect chance to be more open about mental health.”
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “Too many people still feel unable to talk about their mental health.
“Time to Talk Day is an important reminder of the power of conversation, and how by taking small steps to help others we can all make our own contribution to a better and more mentally resilient society.”
