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The power of a conversation

According to the NHS, connecting with others is one the best ways that we can look after our mental wellbeing. With the help of our charity partners, we’ve pulled together some advice on how to open up as well as a list of charities and support networks for those who need someone to talk to.

Top Tips

Top tips from our charity experts and consultant clinical psychologist, Dr Lucy Maddox, on how to make your conversations more meaningful.

Click here to view our top tips PDF

The better we talk, the better we feel

Press the button to generate a talking tip

Looking for ways to connect with new or existing friends?

Click here

Having difficult conversations with children

Opening frame shows a speech bubble graphics with the text 'How to have a difficult conversation. Developed with YoungMinds.' Presenter Charlene White stands in front of the ITV News desk, with camera equipment and a TV screen visible behind her.

Direct to camera, she says "You have to think about the way in which you use your voice, which is something I have to think about every single day when I'm talking in this studio and I'm talking to an audience. It has to come with warmth and caring and understanding".

Be honest with the words you use, and honesty is hugely, hugely important because you want your kids to feel as though they can trust in you, and trust you with the information that they're giving you.

You know, I cook when I'm talking with my child so he doesn't feel as though he's having a big grand sitdown with his mum. We're doing something we love doing together, and then we talk as we are doing it, something that we've always done in our family. Always make them feel as if they are doing something hugely positive by even just sitting down with you and having that conversation. Make them feel loved."

Britain Get Talking logo.

Top tips from parents

Getting further support

Clicking the links on this page will open the page in a new tab.

Mind home page.
Young Minds. Fighting for young people's mental health. Home page.
Campaign against living miserably, CALM. Home page.
SAMH for Scotland's mental health home page.
The silver line. Helpline for older people. Telephone number zero, eight, zero, zero, four, seven, zero, eight, zero, nine, zero. Home page
Samaritans home page.
Shout, for support in a crisis. Home page.
Inspire, wellbeing for all. Home page.
The Mix, essential support for under 25s. Home page.
Bounce Forward home page.
JAAQ home page.
The STV logo sits on top of Britain Get Talking logo. Underneath it says 'supported by Scottish Action for Mental Health, YoungMinds and Mind' alongside their charity logos.

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