Happy World Mental Health Day!

World Mental Health Day falls on 10th October 2026. How are you feeling today? Its a time to reflect on and reassess our own mental health.

There was an old BT (British Telecom) advert on TV which stated, "it's good to talk" (I'm showing my age now, does anyone remember it?). Being heard helps us feel less alone, valued, more connected with others and better able to cope with the challenges we face.

This year the message of World Mental Health Day is all about being heard. So, whilst its good to talk it's even better to be heard. Everyone deserves to be heard, understood and supported. So many things can get in the way of this: everyday pressures, life circumstances, stigma, not feeling worthy or important enough to be receiving the attention, support and time of others.

Mental health affects us all, and taking the time to listen is one of the most powerful ways we can all show support and understanding. Are you a person who struggles to be heard? Are you that person who does all the talking when meeting with friends? I'm inviting you to make a change and do something different; if you have the role of the "quiet one", give your self permission to speak out more, have your say, be heard. If you are usually the talker, the person who takes command of the conversation, hold back, let others be heard, ask questions, listen and be interested.

Take time chatting with a friend, workmate, neighbour or the person in the supermarket to help others feel heard. By sharing experiences, starting a conversation, or taking the time to listen, you could help someone feel understood, less alone, and more confident reaching out for support. Support starts with being heard.