250,000 adults in the South West whose mental health got worse during the pandemic have not spoken to anyone about it

Nearly one in five adults surveyed in the South West (17 per cent) who say their mental health got worse during the pandemic haven’t spoken to anyone about it during this time – equivalent to around 250,000 people – according to research published today. More than a third (38 per cent) of all respondents in the South West reported a worsening in their mental health during the pandemic. Of those who have been concerned about the mental health of someone they care about, almost one in five (19 per cent) say they haven’t tried to talk to them about it.

The poll was conducted as part of Time to Talk Day, a national day of conversations about mental health. The aim is to spark millions of conversations about mental health in communities, schools, homes, workplaces and online across the UK. 

Time to Talk Day 2022 is run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness in England, See Me with SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) in Scotland, Inspire and Change Your Mind in Northern Ireland and Time to Change Wales. It is being delivered in partnership with Co-op.

The partners are supporting communities across the UK to encourage mental health conversations by providing free resources, including tips on how to have the conversation, and running a UK-wide awareness campaign.

Encouragingly, of those surveyed in the South West who have talked to someone, almost two thirds (64 per cent) report at least one positive conversation, with feeling supported and feeling listened to the major reasons why it was positive. Almost two thirds of all survey respondents (65 per cent) agreed that overall, it’s getting easier to talk about mental health. 

Andy Elliott, 47, lives in Exeter. He is a former Response Sergeant with Exeter Police, an enthusiastic mental health advocate and a keen surfer. 

Andy has dealt with a number of traumas in his life and, after a serious cycling accident in 2017, had several months off work following shoulder surgery. In 2020 he suffered exhaustion and burnout linked to the sleep deprivation caused by residual pain from his injury, and sought help. Through counselling Andy was diagnosed with complex PTSD and was directed towards talking therapies. He had been involved in the introduction of Surf Therapy to the emergency services through Surfwell, a research-backed mental health initiative to improve the wellbeing of emergency services staff and volunteers through surfing. In April 2021 he took on a full-time role with the project.

Andy is supporting this year’s Time to Talk Day by sharing his story. He says: “During the last few years I have suffered from both serious physical and mental health related conditions. It is evident to me that society is still much more comfortable dealing with the physical injuries. People have no fear in talking to you about surgery or prognosis when it is tangible. The reaction to my mental health issues was less open – people struggled to have honest discussion. 

 “Talking was just a way of acknowledging my state, allowing me to accept a mental injury so I could look for solutions and processes to improve it rather than supressing it. The problem with the stigma that has historically been attached to mental health issues and is still prevalent is that it encourages this suppression, which in turn means that the stress and anxiety has a habit of boiling over at moments when we need to have resilience and control. Talking helps us acknowledge feelings without being overwhelmed by them."

Previous research by Co-op, Mind, SAMH and Inspire showed the vital role of community for mental wellbeing. One in four respondents (28 per cent) to the national Together Through Tough Times survey said that non-judgemental spaces in the community where they could talk and listen to others would support their wellbeing. In addition to delivering Time to Talk Day 2022, Co-op colleagues, members and customers are raising £8m for Mind, SAMH and Inspire, which will fund more than 50 mental wellbeing services in communities across the UK, supporting over 10,000 people to improve their mental wellbeing.

Time to Change Somerset, a mental health anti-stigma partnership, is holding a public 'marketplace' style event At Bridgwater Town Hall including craft stalls and entertainment to provide a space for conversations about mental health. With a theme of What's Hidden in Somerset, the event will include activities run by the local football club, and laughing yoga.

Brooke Dobson, Time to Change Co-ordinator at Mind in Somerset, who is coordinating the event, said: “Our aim for Time to Talk Day is really simple – to engage as many people as we can in conversation about mental health. We know it’s easier for some people than it is for others but hopefully Time to Talk Day creates that safe space for everyone to open up, reach out, talk and listen.”

The event in Bridgwater is being supported with a grant from Co-op. Rebecca Birkbeck, Director of Community and Shared Value at the Co-op, said: “It’s never been a more important time for us to be able to talk about how we are feeling, however, it can still be hard to speak up about our mental wellbeing. Our research has shown the vital role played by our communities in kickstarting these conversations, giving us the chance to open up whilst we are out and about. We know many people are still waiting for the right time to do that, so we’re encouraging everyone to give it a go this Time to Talk Day.”

Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, the mental health charity, said: “We all have mental health and by talking about it we can support ourselves and others. The last two years have had a huge impact on us all and we know that talking can help us feel less alone, more able to cope and encouraged to seek support if we need to. However you do it, reach out and start a conversation about mental health this Time to Talk Day.” 

Mark Winstanley, Chief Executive of Rethink Mental Illness, said: “It’s an old cliché that it’s good to talk, but it’s clear that many people struggling with their mental health have found it difficult to have that first conversation. The isolation many of us have experienced during the pandemic can be tough on our mental health. This Time to Talk Day we’re encouraging people to reconnect with others and start conversations which can really make a difference.”

For information about Time to Talk Day, including tips on starting the conversation, visit: timetotalkday.co.uk. Follow the conversation on social media #TimeToTalk.