A NATIONAL event to encourage people to speak openly about mental health issues is being supported by a specialist Gloucestershire Trust.

‘Time to Talk Day’ will take place on Thursday, February 5, with the aim of encouraging people up and down the country to take five minutes to have a conversation about mental health.

Getting involved in the scheme is 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, which provides specialist social and mental healthcare services in Gloucestershire and Herfordshire.

Social inclusion team manager with 2gether Dominika Lipska-Rosecka said: “Time to Talk Day is a very simple concept, but it could prove to be very effective in breaking down the stigma around mental health.

“One in four people in the UK will experience a mental health condition each year so we need to speak as openly about mental health as we do about every other aspect of our health and wellbeing."

The conversations can take place anywhere and with anyone, such as friends, family, work colleagues, fellow students, and in workplaces, schools, colleges, in the community and even online.

The day is being organised by national anti-stigma campaign Time to Change.

Events are taking place across the UK to mark the occasion, and 2gether is supporting two specific events in and Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

The Gloucestershire event will see a stand being run by 2gether and the Independence Trust at Stroud College between 9am and 3.30pm

To find out more about Time to Talk Day and get involved visit time-to-change.org.uk/timetotalkday.