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Liverpool law firm Broudie Jackson Canter backs Time to Talk Day’s message to eradicate fear of

Mental health awareness charity Time to Change is encouraging people to sit down and discuss mental health issues today for national Time to Talk Day.

Broudie Jackson Canter Solicitors in Liverpool is supporting the initiative, having worked for many years on behalf of clients detained under the Mental Health Act.

Time to Talk Day wants people to take time out to discuss mental illness in an open and frank way to dispel the myths, fears and prejudice surrounding such conditions. For Broudie Jackson Canter Head of Mental Health and former Law Society Mental Health Tribunal Panel member Chris Topping, changing attitudes toward mental health is hugely important.

“We have come a long way from people being simply locked up for displaying signs of mental health issues,” he said. “But there is still widespread fear and misunderstanding about mental illness.

“Around one in four people in the UK experience mental health problems each year. These can range from phobias to depression and anxiety to eating disorders to name but a few.

“Often people are afraid to speak up when they experience these problems because they fear it may put their job at risk or it will affect the way friends and family treat them. But talking is the most important step because it is the only way to identify the symptoms of these hidden illnesses.

“There are no physical signs of mental illness so people need to feel safe talking to those around them about how they feel and what their state of mind is.”

“Just by taking time out to talk to each other about mental illness is crucial if we are to move forward as a society and provide adequate support for those in need of help.”

To learn more about time to Talk Day visit www.time-to-change.org.uk/talkday or join the national discussion on Twitter using the hashtag #TimetoTalk. For advice on legal issues surrounding mental health, contact Broudie Jackson Canter on 0333 321 4580.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Dan Minchin .