Dorset Mind hosts events for ‘Time To Talk Day’
The charity say 'the power of talking often makes people feel better'
Charity Dorset Mind hosted local events across the county for ‘Time To Talk Day’ to help people open up to each other.
In the “nation’s biggest mental health conversation” which happens every year, it’s a day for everyone to come together to “talk, listen and change lives.”
The aim is to get people talking and also help people find out about other local services which can help them with their mental health.
The Lantern Trust hosted one of the local events with a drop-in session.
The local charity helps vulnerable and marginalised people in the Weymouth and Portland area.
David Sutherland, a team leader at Dorset Mind, attended the event at the trust to help signpost people to resources and services in the local community:
“Even if they don’t talk specifically about their mental health - if they talk about their favourite topic which might be football or about their children’s school or their hobbies and sports - it just often makes us feel good to have those enjoyable conversations.”
Dot, who has been attending drop-ins at the Lantern trust for over 4 years.
She first turned to them for help when she didn't have anywhere to go. Since then, they have helped her move into a new flat and live independently.
Dot visits the hub often during the week to get support, talk to others that visit physical health services. and for tea and toast:
“People don’t talk enough to each other. I’ve noticed since covid people do talk… it's just interesting to come and do something for an hour or two… it keeps you up instead of feeling depressed.”
Mike Graham, CEO of the Lantern Trust, says the hub removes “barriers” the people face when they try to get help by having a number of different agencies and services available in one place:
“We view the person as a whole. If things are not practically going well for you, then often that can have a detrimental effect on your mental health. So, we believe that having a support offer that covers all aspects of someone’s life is really important.”
Mike also stresses the importance of talking to each other:
“In the past people felt ashamed to talk about what was going on with their mental health.. We all understand that when we struggle in life one of the hardest things to do, but the best thing for us, is to speak about how we’re feeling.”
Events have also taken place in two Mind shops in their Winton and Christchurch branches - and the Trussell Trust’s Bournemouth Foodbank.