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Today is World Mental Health Day, offering us a valuable opportunity to raise awareness and shed light on the crucial topic of mental health and wellbeing. However, what exactly is mental health? The definition of mental health is a personal and individual concept, with varied meanings for different people. This underscores the importance of embracing a diverse approach to mental health. It’s essential to recognise that one person’s lived experience may differ significantly from another’s. By actively listening and learning from this spectrum of experiences, we can construct robust support systems.

Tricky to Talk, the mental health programme at our Trust, adheres to this principle. Our sessions are not meant to provide professional support or replace mental health services. Instead, they create a space where individuals can openly converse and share their experiences with others. We build an environment of empathy and guide individuals towards relevant professional support services. Since its inception in 2019, Tricky has brought people together and built a network, all rooted in something as simple as a shared love for a football team.

However, it was during the pandemic that more members began to join from various walks of life. They sought companionship and solace during a time of profound uncertainty. The programme evolved into a shared space marked by empathy, kindness, and heightened awareness. Over time, our group has grown, and the strength of these relationships extends beyond our sessions. Members now support each other outside of our meetings, serving as each other’s cheerleaders.

As the facilitator of this group, I take immense pride in the work we do during our weekly sessions. However, my greatest source of pride is our participants. They consistently show up week after week, sharing their lived experiences with courage and bravery. They do so not only to seek support from each other but also to demonstrate to others that they are not alone in their struggles. It is through sharing and hearing these lived experiences that we truly realise that we are not alone. I learn so much from my participants, and I am deeply honoured to be a part of their journeys.

Claire – Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager

To learn more about our Tricky to Talk programme, please email trickytotalk@nottinghamforest.co.uk.