Today is an important day for health awareness both in the Uk and across the globe! One of my grandmothers suffered from depression due to her Rheumatoid arthritis. While is caused her and her family great pain it was also treated as a “terrible family secret”. At PatientTalk.Org we feel this has to change.

Time to Talk Day hopes to end discrimination against people with mental health issues by beginning a global conversation on the subject.

Last we produced an online poster which was share far and wide. You can check it out here. It is still relevant so why not put it on you facebook page or send to people on Twitter. Please do use the hashtag #timetochange.

This year we thought we would share some brilliant work done by Time To Change who run the day looking at myths and facts about mental illness.

Myth: Mental health problems are not at all common.
Fact: In fact 25% of us will suffer from a mental health problem in any given year.

Myth: People with mental illness aren’t able to work.
Fact: Many do – you almost certainly know a person who works with a mental health condition. One of the most successful business people I know has bipolar.

Myth: Young people just go through ups and downs as part of growing up.
Fact: 10% young people will experience a mental health problem.

Myth: People with mental health illnesses are usually violent and unpredictable.
Fact: In fact People with mental health illnesses are themselves much more likely to be the victims of violence.

Myth: People with mental health problems don’t experience discrimination.
Fact: 90% do!!!

Myth: It’s easy for young people to talk to friends about their issues and mental health concerns.
Fact: Nearly three in four young people worry about negative reactions when they talk about their mental health issues.

Please feel free to check out the Time to Change site here.