Time To Talk 2022

If you're feeling alone and isolated, struggling with your mental health, and unsure how to reach out for support, you're not alone.

The 3rd of February is Time to Talk Day, and we're keen to to encourage parents and caregivers to reach out for support if they're struggling with their mental health. One of our guest bloggers previously shared their insight of parental mental health with us...

“It’s a scary feeling to put yourself out there but I can honestly tell you, reaching out and being honest about my mental health was the best thing I’ve ever done,” shared Cath Saltern (the anxiousmama). Before she became pregnant, Cath had long struggled with anxiety so was acutely aware that she would possibly need more help than other new parents when her baby was born. Her increased awareness and knowledge of where to reach out to ensured that she was given help by her family, friends and professionals. She uses her online social media platform to raise awareness and encourage others to reach out too.

Too many parents don't feel equipped to reach out for help with their mental health

This year's Time To Talk day is run by Mind and Rethink Mental Health, and sponsored by the Co-op. According to a survey of over 5000 UK adults previously commissioned by Time to Change, the average person has 770 friends on social media, but nearly a fifth of respondents (18%) don’t feel they would be able to reach out to those friends if they were struggling with their mental health or any other matter. 70% said that social media and group chats lead to more 'shallow' conversations lacking depth and the chance to confide worries, whereas in-person conversations do allow people a chance to open up. It's really important to open up a dialogue that goes deeper and touches upon areas where people seriously need sincerity, warmth and a listening ear.

💬 It's #TimeToTalk Day!

However you do it, start a conversation about mental health today.

Talk. Listen. Change lives. pic.twitter.com/o6qbzq3jiC
— Time to Change (@TimetoChange) February 3, 2022

The Value of Parent-to-Parent Support

At Bump, Baby & You, in our private Facebook group we have a thriving community of parents, many of whom have been through their own mental health battles, and those who haven't provide a kind and understanding environment to provide comfort and encouragement. While it isn't the same as face-to-face support, engaging in 'safe spaces' online can actually give people the confidence to reach out offline too. We'd love to thank all of our current group members for being so incredibly supportive, and making our group the invaluable parenting resource that it has grown into!

You can find more information on Time to Talk Day here.

Here at Bump, Baby & You, we pledge to make #TimetoTalk and continue to be here for our wonderful community of mummies, daddies and other care givers. We would love you to all to do the same and be there for these important conversations... ask a mum friend out for a coffee, reach out to someone who you're worried about, drop someone a kind message on social media, every gesture matters.

Useful Mental Health Support Details

The Samaritans

Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours a day, free to call)

Find their website here

Mind

Telephone: 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm Mon-Friday) or text 86463

Find their website here

Pandas Foundation

Pandas is a support service for any parents experiencing a perinatal mental illness and can be contacted for pre and post natal depression advice. They also run local support groups – find one near you here.

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