McVitie's

We're partnering with McVitie's on a joint mission to get the nation talking; because a simple chat (over a biccie) is a great way to be kind to your mind. The 'Let's Talk' campaign will be encouraging conversation and social connection up and down the country to help boost our wellbeing.

Over 4 million packs of McVitie's biscuits are being sold in aid of Mind in all major supermarkets with our logo on pack, exclusively in Tesco. McVitie's are donating £150,000 to Mind to support the Time to Change campaign that we run with ReThink Mental Illness. The donation will contribute to eight new Time to Change Hubs and training 400 new Time to Change champions to help improve attitudes towards people experiencing mental health problems in their communities.

McVitie's' parent brand, pladis, who also own brand such as Carrs and go ahead!, have been working with us for several years on their commitment to support the mental health and wellbeing of their 4,600 staff with their Positive Minds programme which includes 120 mental health ambassadors. Plus we're training all pladis line managers in mental health awareness by the end of 2019.

Find out more about the partnership at mcvities.co.uk/letstalk.

Top tips for talking

We know that opening up to someone isn't always easy. But starting a conversation doesn't have to be awkward, and being there for someone can make a huge difference.

• Starting a conversation. If you're worried about a friend or colleague then simply asking them how they are feeling is a good start. You don't have to set aside hours to chat and it doesn't need to be formal, or even face-to-face. Often people find it easier to talk while doing something else – like on a walk or while cooking, or watching TV.
• What should I say? The most important thing to remember is that you don't need to be an expert. Your friend doesn't expect you to solve their problems, just being there will mean a lot. Take the lead and ask questions – don't be afraid to ask how they've been.
• What shouldn't I say? If someone has opened up to you try not to brush their problems under the carpet and avoid clichés like 'it'll pass' or 'what have you got to be depressed about'.
• Listen. Listening without judging can be as important and significant as talking. The fear of being judged is a huge barrier for many people speaking out about mental health. You might not understand what they're going through but that's ok.
• Support. If someone tells you they're struggling there are professional support options out there. Reassure your friend that it's ok to ask for help. You might want to help with seeking support too- going along to a GP appointment or looking up information online.