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Time to Talk Day

February 8, 2023

What is Time to Talk Day?

Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. For that reason, Time to Talk Day happens every year on February 8. Time to Talk Day is a day for friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives. The color for mental health awareness is lime green. Lime green raises awareness about mental health in all populations, including children.

We know the more conversations we have, the better life is for everyone. Talking about mental health isn’t always easy. But a conversation has the power to change lives. Explore ideas on how to take part in Time to Talk Day. This may include organizing an event in your local library. Or, hosting a lunch and learn session to simply share information on social media or texting a friend.

Since Time to Talk Day first launched in 2014, it has sparked millions of conversations in schools, homes, workplaces, in the media and online. As a result of the day, people have felt able to share their experiences. They do so without shame for the first time and have started supporting those around them.

Mental Health in America: The numbers

The statistics surrounding mental health in America might be surprising. For example, according to Mental Health America, nearly one in five American adults will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year. Among specific mental illnesses, anxiety is by far the most common. The National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) provides additional details about the annual prevalence of mental illness among U.S. adults by condition:

Anxiety Disorders: 19.1% (estimated 48 million people)
Major Depressive Episode: 8.4% (21 million people)
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: 3.6% (estimated 9 million people)
Bipolar Disorder: 2.8% (estimated 7 million people)
Borderline Personality Disorder: 1.4% (estimated 3.5 million people)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: 1.2% (estimated 3 million people)
Schizophrenia: <1% (estimated 1.5 million people)

There are many reasons why it is so important to talk about mental health concerns — whether you are experiencing these issues yourself or you suspect someone you love is having challenges.

Human beings cannot fight mental illnesses alone. When anxiety, depression, PTSD and other potentially devastating mental health problems stay private, they tend to fester. They grow bigger and possibly get out of control. Talking about mental health can help anyone feel like they have a community to lean on.
When one person talks about mental health, others feel empowered to do so, too. Decades ago, people who had mental health issues feared discussing them with anyone else. This is because there was such a stigma associated with mental illness. In the United States, some of that stigma has gone away. However, some people still have preconceived notions about what a person with mental illness looks or sounds like. As more and more people share that they have struggled with their mental health, it becomes normalized. And others feel more comfortable acknowledging they have challenges, too.
Talking about mental health can save a life. Sometimes, too, people think if they talk about suicide, they are “encouraging” someone to follow through with it. In reality, it can help the person.
Open communication can help facilitate diagnosis. Many people with mental illness can’t put a name to it. In other words, they just know they feel “off.” Without proper treatment, their mental health may continue to deteriorate. But when people talk about how they’re feeling, they’re more likely to come across a friend or family member who can point them toward appropriate support.