Published on: 31st January 2017
A national campaign promoting the importance of opening up and talking about mental health problems will be celebrated across the Trust this week.
Staff, patients and service users at LPFT are joining together to help break the silence and end the cycle of discrimination as part of Time to Talk Day on Thursday 2 February 2017.
The awareness campaign aims to get as many people as possible across the UK talking about mental health. Often people with mental health problems can feel isolated, ashamed or fear discrimination from the stigma that unfortunately still surrounds them.
But talking about mental health problems can make a difference to someone’s life and it can be as simple as taking the time to have a cup of tea and a chat, or going for a walk and listening to someone tell you how they ‘really’ feel.
Lots of activities are taking place around the Trust this week, including a fish and chip lunch for patients and their families on the older adult Langworth Ward in North Hykeham, Lincoln. There will also be a coffee and cake afternoon for older patients at the Trust’s Rochford Unit, at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston.
Meanwhile at the Peter Hodgkinson Centre in Lincoln, our adult inpatients will be enjoying an afternoon of board games on Conolly Ward (male), and a table tennis tournament and fundraising event on Charlesworth Ward (female).
Anyone can get involved in starting the conversations and can download some Time to Talk Day resources by visiting the website (see below), to get the ball rolling.
Service Manager for LPFT’s steps2change talking therapies service, Nick Harwood, said that taking part in Time to Talk Day is a great way to get everyone chatting about mental health.
He said:
Talking to someone, whether it be about mental health problems or just catching up with an old friend over a coffee, is vital in today’s society. We all need someone to talk to, it helps to get things off our chests and can be a wonderful release if you’re starting to bottle things up or keep things to yourself. Our mental health is important and at steps2change we are here to listen and support people. If you’re feeling isolated, anxious, stressed at work or depressed you can contact us and make a self-referral. So this Time to Talk Day why not pick up the phone and take that first step to getting help.
In addition to taking part in Time to Talk Day, LPFT is continuing to support the countywide Suicide SAFE campaign.
The initiative aims to get local communities involved in helping to prevent suicides and raise awareness of what we can all do to support friends, family, colleagues and neighbours.
The Suicide SAFE campaign involves a charter which asks local businesses, organisations and clubs to sign up and develop a culture where people are comfortable talking about difficult issues.
