With so many of us suffering mentally due to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, today’s annual ‘Time to Talk Day’ is perhaps even more crucial in the current climate.

Conversations about mental health will be happening nationwide today as part of the social movement organised by Time to Change to end the stigma surrounding speaking out about your problems and asking for help.

In a bid to use our platforms in a positive light, our newsroom and our sister titles across the UK are today turning our social media channels to promote awareness of positive mental health and end the surrounding stigmas.

Social media is now too often used to spread hate, negativity and as a tool for trolling or bullying – and arguably during lockdown this seems to have only got worse.

As well as sharing stories aimed at making people feel good about themselves, our title and dozens of others will be signposting our readers to organisations where they and their friends can turn to for support.

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This year’s theme for Time to Talk Day is ‘the power of small’ and aims to serve as a reminder that one small conversation can make a big difference not only to those suffering; but in driving a change in attitudes to destigmatise mental health.

Statistically, one in four people will experience a mental health problem in any given year.

If the implications associated with the current Covid-19 pandemic are considered, inevitably this figure could rise.

The day has been endorsed by some amazing celebrities who have been sharing video messages on social media encouraging people not to suffer in silence and to seek help.

The initiative was the brainchild of reporter Amy Shearer and editor Brian Hossack of the company’s award-winning Scottish daily, the Greenock Telegraph.

Choosing to talk can make a real difference to someone’s life. But sometimes these conversations can bring up some difficult things that people may not have spoken about before. This might mean that they need some support.

There are plenty of groups who can provide individual support, guidance or advice. Below you’ll find a list of organisations who can help you, or someone else:

Mind Infoline (Telephone: [0300] 123 3393 - 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday to Friday. E-Mail: info@mind.org.uk. Text: 86463. Website: www.mind.org.uk/help/advice_lines): With support and understanding, Mind enables people to make informed choices. The Infoline gives information on types of mental health problems, where to get help, drug treatments, alternative therapies and advocacy. Mind also has a network of nearly 200 local Mind associations providing services.

Rethink Mental Illness Advice Line (Telephone: [0300] 5000 927 - 9:30am-4:00pm, Monday to Friday. E-Mail: info@rethink.org. Website: www.rethink.org/about-us/our-mental-health-advice): Provides expert advice and information to people with mental health problems and those who care for them, as well as giving help to health professionals, employers and staff. They also run services and groups across England and Northern Ireland.

Elefriends (Website: www.elefriends.org.uk): Elefriends is a supportive online community run by Mind where you can be yourself.

Samaritans (Telephone: 116 123 - 24 hours a day, free to call. E-Mail: jo@samaritans.org. Website: www.samaritans.org): Provides confidential, non-judgmental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. You can phone, E-Mail, write a letter or, in most cases, talk to someone face to face.

SANEline (Telephone: [0300] 304 7000 - 4:30-10:30pm, every day. Website: www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/helpline): A national out-of-hours helpline offering emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by a mental health problem, including family, friends and carers.