Time to Talk Day took place on Thursday 2 February, and is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation.
In support of this campaign, NHS Lanarkshire’s Health Improvement team held a Walk and Talk event, for people to attend to support their mental health. There are many physical, mental and social health benefits to walking and being out in nature, and this event allowed those who attended to explore these benefits.
The walk was organised in partnership with LAMH and Get Walking Lanarkshire, and was open to all Lanarkshire residents to come along, connect with others, socialise and link to local services which support mental health and emotional wellbeing.
An amazing 20 Lanarkshire residents attended the walk, which took place from LAMH Café & Wellbeing Centre in Wishaw.
The day provided an opportunity for supporting partners to set up stalls. Organisations who came along to support residents and signpost them to additional support included; Bazooka Arts, Get Walking Lanarkshire, and LAMH.
Grant Murdoch, health improvement practitioner, NHS Lanarkshire, and organiser of the event, said: “To support Time to Talk Day, we looked at ways to bring people together to promote good mental health and wellbeing.
“Despite the wet weather, the event went really well as the feedback from participants was that they would like to continue getting out walking and meeting new people. Due to the success of the day, which was organised with local partners LAMH and Get Walking Lanarkshire, a new weekly walking group has been set up taking place at LAMH Café & Wellbeing Centre on Wednesdays at 1.30pm.
“I really enjoyed planning the event and looking to the future I hope to organise many more. I would like to thank our partners for taking part, as well as Morrisons and Tesco for donating bottles of water.”
Donna Wallace, health improvement senior, NHS Lanarkshire, and organiser of the event, said “Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation and the day is all about creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health.
“We all have mental health and by talking about it we can support ourselves and others, as we know the more conversations we have, the better life is for everyone. Recent research also shows how important open conversations in communities are to support everyone’s mental wellbeing.
“Talking about mental health isn’t always easy, but a conversation has the power to change lives.”
