Time to Talk Day: Mental health and wellbeing in the workplace
This guest blog was written by Maurice Lawrence, our Disability Training & Consultancy Specialist.
What is Time to Talk Day?
Time to Talk Day is the UK’s largest national mental health awareness day and takes place on Thursday 5th February 2026. It’s a day when friends, families, communities and workplaces come together to talk openly about mental health, helping to address stigma and discrimination and, ultimately, change lives.
The objective of Time to Talk Day is to create a culture where open conversations about mental health are normal and not just reserved for times of crisis. Having honest conversations in the workplace is critical for wellbeing, as many people experience stress, anxiety or exhaustion throughout the working day without the support they need to address their mental health.
In this blog, we explore the impact of mental health in the workplace and ways that managers can encourage conversations around mental health challenges.
Why ‘Time to Talk Day’ is important in the workplace
According to research (2020), 1 in 4 people experience mental health issues each year, and 1 in 6 working-age adults have symptoms associated with poor mental health.
Time to Talk Day encourages a UK-wide, everyday conversation about mental health – something that clearly affects many people and should not be overlooked in the workplace.
What makes Time to Talk Day such a powerful initiative is that it’s not about asking people to share everything or explain themselves. It isn’t group therapy or performance management, and it certainly isn’t intended to be a single conversation aimed at fixing complex mental health experiences.
Instead, the day offers people the opportunity to say, “I’m finding things hard,” and to be listened to in a non-judgemental and empathetic way. By doing so, people in the workplace can feel more empowered to talk about mental health in the same way they talk about physical health.
Meaningful ways to take part in Time to Talk Day
Talking openly and honestly can be the first step towards better mental health for everyone. Time to Talk Day encourages these conversations, and they don’t need to be formal or carefully planned to be effective. In fact, the most helpful approaches are often informal. The goal is to create a culture that gives people permission to talk.
Here are some meaningful ways to get involved:
- Create space, not spotlight. Let people know conversations are welcome without putting anyone on the spot. For example, a manager might say, “If you’d like to check in today, my door is open,” and genuinely follow through.
- Normalise small check-ins. Encourage brief, human moments throughout the day. This could be asking, “How are you really doing?” at the start of a meeting, or dedicating part of one-to-ones to more than just task updates.
- Offer quiet ways to engage. Not everyone feels comfortable speaking face-to-face. Provide alternatives like anonymous reflection prompts, optional journaling time, or a shared message board for supportive notes.
- Focus on listening, not stories. Shift the emphasis away from encouraging people to share personal experiences. Instead, highlight the importance of listening well – for example, listening without interrupting.
- Lunch & learn. Organise sessions to teach colleagues about mental health and how to support each other.
- Walk and talk. Hold a lunchtime walk-and-talk to encourage colleagues to get outside and have conversations, especially on Time to Talk Day.
- Pledge board. Set up a virtual or visible board where staff can post their pledges to improve the workplace.
- Follow up Time to Talk Day. Time to Talk works best when it’s not a one-off event. Remind people that conversations are welcome beyond the day itself and that support is always available.
Why talking about mental health matters in the workplace.
What matters most in the workplace is genuine intention. When actions feel authentic rather than performative, people notice – and they respond. Organisations that consistently show, through their behaviour, that mental health can be discussed without judgement create trust that lasts far beyond Time to Talk Day.
Are you ready to continue with the Time to Talk Day?
Medigold Health’s Mental Health First Aid courses empower your workforce with the confidence to spot early warning signs of mental ill health, hold sensitive conversations, and guide colleagues to expert support when needed.
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