‘Speaking about mental health more important now than ever’

Time to Talk Day 2022 is run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness across the UK, with the purpose of initiating the tough conversations surrounding mental health in communities, schools, homes, workplaces and online.

Local woman Emily Nuttall 28, marked the day by speaking about her own struggles with mental health to create awareness for the campaign.

‘Speaking out about our mental health is more important than ever before,’ she said.

‘Many of us feel we have to wear a mask to the outside world to guard us from our struggles, life challenges, fear and pain – to show that we are strong and to hide our true feelings.’

Ms Nuttall believes that removing that mask is one of the bravest things that someone can do, and that talking openly about her mental health was the best decision she has ever made in her life.

Receiving her first mental health diagnosis when she was 12 years old, Ms Nuttall has since been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, PTSD, self-harm and anorexia, for which she has been prescribed antidepressants, CBT, counselling and a range of talking, creative and practical therapies.

Like thousands of others in the island, her mental health was severely impacted by the pandemic and lockdown saw her unable to leave her flat for 12 weeks. It left her feeling like there was no point getting out of bed and she quickly shut down.

‘It took me to a dark place and I got so ill that I almost ended up back in hospital. I was a prisoner in my own head.’

Guernsey Mind made the services she needed available online, which gave her the stability she needed to cope.

Ms Nuttall has been volunteering for Guernsey Mind since 2016 after receiving help from the charity following an attempt to end her life in 2015. She has helped put together training packs and worked on project developments and campaigns, as well as carrying out media work.

Through sharing her story, Ms Nuttall has been involved in conversations with government MPs and Parliament to petition for further funding and improvement in mental health services nationwide in addition to co-authoring four books.

Time to Talk Day is in partnership with Co-op, which is providing free resources, including tips on how to have the conversation.

‘When opening up for the first time, don’t be embarrassed or ashamed,’ said Ms Nuttall.

‘When we face our struggles, we grow in strength to overcome them and sometimes the smallest talk has the power to save and change lives.’