Column: Jack Sargeant AM – Time to Talk Day

Alyn and Deeside AM Jack Sargent will be writing a regular column on Deeside.com with updates on his work in the Welsh Assembly and closer to home. 

Jack writes: I have spoken before about my own struggles with poor mental, it’s not always easy to talk, people can feel awkward about this because of the stigma that comes with it.

The 6^th of February is Time to Talk Day.

So let’s come together and break the ice , I want everyone to have a conversation about mental health – whether that’s texting a friend, chatting to a colleague, organising a stigma-busting event or simply smiling to a stranger on the street

Around 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem this year yet the shame and silence can be as bad as the mental health problem itself.

Your attitude to mental health could change someone’s life.

Mental health, like physical health can be lost, maintained or improved and there are a wide range of factors that can positively or negatively affect it.

Risks to mental health and well-being include: life events and social factors that we have little or no control over such as: bereavement, exposure to abuse, homelessness, and being bullied or rejected; and individual and family factors such as physical disability, poor health in infancy, neglect in childhood and family violence.

Last week I had the opportunity to address the Senedd on support for the those bereaved by suicide and how the support available. 

During the debate I talked about mental health services, and I was honest, we have to do better. 

We often call for mental health services to be as resourced as physical health services and now it is time to make this a reality.

So on the 6^th of Feb and every other day, be kind to each other, talk to each other and ask – are you ok?