What is Time to Talk Day?
Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. Taking place on Thursday 5 February 2026, it is a day that friends, families, communities, and workplaces come together to challenge stigma.
Time to Talk Day is run in Scotland by See Me, with SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), and by Mind in England.
For 2026, Scotland are doing things a little different. Until now, the campaign has encouraged people to talk about mental health and to reach out for support.
It’s a good message – after all, freedom to speak openly about your mental health can be empowering and can help create supportive conversations.
But what if talking isn’t safe?
When you live with a mental health problem or illness, open conversations might not be possible because you know what the consequences could be. Like losing a job, being made to feel ‘less than’, being treated differently by co-workers, or being excluded from everyday opportunities.
Mental health stigma and discrimination can make open conversations unsafe because of these harmful consequences.
People who speak to See Me say, that the stigma they experience around their mental health is made worse by other forms of discrimination like racism, misogyny, transphobia and classism.
That’s why this year’s theme in Scotland is “making places stigma free for everyone”.
Communities, schools, workplaces, and healthcare providers and leaders are being asked to recognise the different ways that mental health stigma is experienced by people – and to make change happen.
And they’re asking those who have the power to be changemakers to join in their vision to make Scotland a fairer and more inclusive place free from mental health stigma and discrimination.
Talking about mental health
Not everyone feels safe talking about their mental health. But when supportive conversations do happen, it can be an important step in someone's journey. Use our talking tips here.
1. Ask questions and listen
Asking questions can give the person space to express how they’re feeling and what they’re going through. Try to ask questions that are open and non-judgmental, like: “What does that feel like?”
2. Use positive body language and encourage them
Small verbal comments like ‘I see’ or ‘what happened next?’ will let them know you are paying attention to them and actively listening.
3. Don't try and fix it
Try to resist the urge to offer quick fixes to what someone is going through. Just talking can be really powerful, so unless they’ve asked for advice directly, it might be best just to listen.
4. Dispel any myths and avoid clichés
Mental health problems are more common than people think and can affect anyone at any time. Comments like, “Pull yourself together,” or, “You’re just having a bad day,” are not helpful. Think before you speak.
5. Be patient
No matter how hard you try, some people might not be ready to talk about what they’re going through. That’s okay – the fact that you’ve tried to talk to them about it may make it easier for them to open up another time.
Check out these links for more information from See Me
Support is also available from Time for Talking, our EAP provider. They can provide a wide range of support, featuring a 24/7 employee helpline which is available all year round to provide immediate emotional support, structured counselling, Live Chat, App, and more. You can find more information on how to get in touch here Time for Talking
