Time to Talk Day 2024 and How To Support It In The Workplace

Time To Talk Day is an initiative to get people together to talk about their mental health. 1/4 people experience mental health problems in any given year, Time To Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation and it takes place this year on February 1st, 2024.

Why Is Time To Talk Day Celebrated

Across the UK, people are encouraged to get together on Time To Talk Day, whether that be with friends, family, or even colleagues in the workplace. The day was created in partnership with Mind, Rethink Mental Illness and Co-Op to help end the stigma surrounding mental health.

Research shows that having open conversations about mental health can change lives for the better when people feel heard and listened to. By setting aside time, people and communities can support each other through conversation.

How to Support Time To Talk Day In The Workplace

In the workplace, people can have open conversations about their mental health in a group or on a one-to-one basis, virtually or in person. Colleagues can hold quizzes, bingo, lunch, and learns to get conversations flowing and encourage honesty, open conversation makes a huge difference for people struggling with mental health issues.

Top Speakers to book for Time To Talk Day

This Time To Talk Day, organisations can book a mental health speaker to support employees. By sharing their stories and research, these speakers can help encourage employees to feel comfortable talking about and better manage their own mental health. This is not only a benefit to the individual, but to the company who often sees a boost in productivity and team cohesion when employees feel supported in the workplace.

Nigel Owens

World record-breaking rugby referee Nigel Owens is not only the world’s first openly gay referee but a fantastic advocate for raising awareness for mental health issues. Whilst growing up he suffered from bulimia, bullying and suicidal thoughts, his mental health journey is heartfelt and warming. Despite this, Nigel worked his way to the top of his profession and enjoyed a first-class career as a referee. Booked as a speaker, Nigel offers a fantastic voice for mental health support as well as sharing his experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Katie Piper

BAFTA nominated Katie Piper suffered life changing injuries after a horrific acid attack in 2008, burning her face and body. The experience was harrowing and required a huge amount of mental strength to overcome. Katie has taken her negative experienced and used to help others. She talks openly about her struggle with her body image and has set out to change society’s perception of beauty. As a speaker her TED talks alone speak for themselves, she is heartfelt, intelligent and thought provoking.

Frankie Bridge

Frankie Bridge is a former member of S Club 7 and the girl group The Saturdays. Frankie is most famous for her career in entertainment. In more recent times, she has taken a role as an Ambassador for the charity MIND. She recently took up an ambassadorial role for the charity MIND. She wrote her first book ‘Open’ which detailed her battles with depression. She is also a podcast host supporting her active work with MIND. She is extremely well versed on the subject of mental health and is frequently booked to speak on her experiences around mental health.

Ruby Wax

MIND ambassador Ruby Rax OBE is an expert on mental health, a fantastic comedian and educated with a Masters degree in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. She brings her wicked sense of humour and thought-provoking discussions of mental health to events. Delivering workshops to companies across the globe, Ruby shares her knowledge of mental health and years of behavioural therapy research. She is a Patron of the British Neuroscience Association and an Ambassador for SANE. For Time to Talk Day, Ruby is an excellent choice due to her ability to combine comedy and well researched, nuanced conversation.

Robert Holden

Having published 10 books about mental health and positive psychology, Robert Holden PhD is the Director and Funder of the Happiness Project – the infamous NHS programme which explores the nature of happiness, how to unlock it and what blocks it. His work gained world wide media attention including appearances on the Oprah Winfrey show as well as the BBC. For Time To Talk Day Robert can provide a scientific approach to discussion, leaving audiences with a wealth of knowledge to support them on their journey.

Matt Haig

Best selling author Matt Haig is a writer and hugely positive mental health writer. After attempting suicide at the tender of age of 24 after suffering bouts of depression and anxiety – Matt wrote his Sunday Times best selling book Reasons to Stay Alive sharing his day to day experiences of living with depression. As a speaker Matt demonstrates the importance of speaking up, for Time to Talk Day Matt is a walking example of the benefits of taking the time to talk about mental health.

Book a Speaker for Time to Talk Day 2024

To hire a mental health speaker for Time to Talk Day, contact the Mental Health Speakers Agency by phone on 0203 9816 296 or by completing our secure online contact form.