Today, 4th February 2021 is Time to Talk Day and the Theme is The Power of Small. The idea is that it’s the small conversations that make a difference but I’m going to take it a step further and say that any small thing can make a big difference when it comes to mental health.

I think it’s fair to say most people are struggling with something at the moment. Some people may be enjoying the simpler life of lockdown or it may not have impacted them as much as others but not being able to go about life as we want is really hard. Being told what we can and can’t do and when is taking its toll.

Most of us will have an unhealthy coping mechanism we turn to, it could be ‘socially acceptable’ alcohol, or it could be relatively-easy-to-hide eating too much. Or perhaps you’re someone who gets irritable and snappy with those around you? Maybe you’re someone who stuffs your feelings down, pretends everything’s fine, maybe you’re a workaholic or a exercise-addict? But none of these things work in the long term, eventually, the cracks will show, your body, your mind or your relationships will tell you something is wrong, talking about how you’re feeling is the most powerful thing we can do.

Speaking to my therapist the other day, I was talking about how I wanted to support someone close to me but I had no idea what I could do to help because I don’t have any skills that they need. He asked “but do you need to do anything?”. As I’m a trainee counsellor, he really shouldn’t have needed to ask this question, but how often do we find ourselves desperately trying to do good things when just being with someone is all they need?

Not everyone will be able to find the words and saying “I’m struggling” can be exposing and make us feel quite vulnerable. But talking about our emotions, feelings and mental health is becoming more ‘normal’. The phrase ‘it’s ok not to be ok’ is regularly used to express an acceptance of each other’s emotional state, no matter where you’re at.

Today is the day when we highlight the importance of talking but it doesn’t just need to be today. Think about who you might reach out to, a friend, a family member, or anyone you feel you can trust.

If you don’t believe that small things make a difference, you’ve never shared a bed with a mosquito!