Time to Talk Day

Date: 03 February 2022

Today marks Time to Talk Day, which is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. It’s a day that encourages friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives.

Last year, award winning radio producer Joe Lyons was remembered in Mickleham Church at a Celebration Service for his life. The following was written by Joe’s parents in the Mickleham Parish Magazine.

“Never in a million years would we have imagined what we would now be doing. Our beloved son, Joe, totally unexpectedly took his own life in August 2020, aged just 31. His family, friends and colleagues were, and still are, completely shattered - no one saw this devastating situation coming.

Although our heartache and pain will not disappear, his family and friends wanted to direct our energy in a very positive way to create an effective charity in remembrance and as a legacy to Joe. Suicide in males under 45 years of age is currently the biggest cause of death in the UK. We decided to try to help young people in educational settings, with information and assistance for mental health issues. Some of the trustees have wide experience as governors of outstanding Special Educational Needs and Disabilities schools and within the Youth Justice Service.

The approved charitable objectives of Joe's Buddy Line Charity are to promote and protect the mental health, particularly but not exclusively, of young people from primary school to university throughout England and Wales, by the provision of finance, education, practical advice, and support.

The Celebration Service included a short film 'Our Joe', produced by his friends at Capital Radio. You may also like to see 'Our Silent Emergency', the BBC film about Joe, his personal and professional relationship with Roman Kemp, the radio and TV presenter, and mental health issues. It was shortlisted for Best Documentary at the National Television Awards 2021 and is available on BBC iPlayer.

Recently, the charity has been developing a number of initiatives which will be offered to schools and colleges. One of these was the recent 'Mindfest' day at Ashcombe School, Dorking. More than 700 attended with 35+ therapists and organisations present including visits by Sir Paul Beresford MP, local councillors and police involved with children's wellbeing. However, it is clear from our discussions with other institutions and charities that, unfortunately, there is not a 'one size fits all' solution to the many interrelated mental health issues for every institution.

The charity continues to expand and has been asked to produce a Surrey ‘MINDFEST 22 - Mental Health and Wellbeing Festival’ to be held at Dorking Halls, Dorking on International Mental Health Day - Sunday 9th October 2022.”

Below, along with Joe’s Buddy Line, there is a list or charities and organisations that have some helpful resources to get the conversation on mental health started this Time to Talk Day.