Britain Get Talking

What's on our mind can be the hardest subject. So, what's on yours?

Talking is often the first step in helping ease stress and reduce anxiety. Yet we know that adults often shy away from speaking about children about things that might be worrying them, like climate change, or war.

The latest initiative from ITV and STV’s Britain Get Talking campaign focuses on helping children across the country to share what’s on their minds. Working directly with schools and child psychologists, as well as SAMH, Mind and YoungMinds, the campaign is setting a different kind of homework - for young people to have a proper chat with an adult they trust, on the hardest subject: what’s on their minds.

This powerful rallying cry comes at a time when we’ve never needed it more – a cost of living crisis, a pandemic, and troubling world events, has had a negative impact on our children’s mental health.

The Hardest Subject campaign film
Play video
Top tips for having difficult conversations
  1. Try having the conversation whilst doing another activity e.g. the washing up.

  2. Start the conversation with open-ended questions like, ‘what’s on your mind today?’

  3. Actively listen and leave room for them to speak. You don’t need to fix all their problems immediately.

  4. Sometimes it helps to share personal stories or experiences to help put them at ease.

  5. If they don’t want to talk, reassure them that the door is always open when they’re ready.

Children and young people

Find out about SAMH's work supporting children and young people's mental health.

Find out more

Children and young people's mental health
Get your school involved

This World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2023, STV’s Britain Get Talking is helping children across the country to open up. Together with teachers and clinical psychologists, we’ve created a piece of homework like no other. A conversation starter for children to take home, designed to help them talk about the hardest subjects on their minds with their parents or trusted adults. Because sharing worries can help ease stress and reduce anxiety.

Hardest Subject - homework task in pink

Hardest Subject - homework task in white

Are you struggling with your mental health? You are not alone.

There are many services and organisations that can offer you support with mental ill health:

SAMH Information Service

Whether you’re seeking support, are looking for more information for you or someone you love, or if you just want to have chat about mental health, we’re here to help. You can also speak to an advisor through our Live Web Chat which will pop up when an advisor is available.

Available: 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday

Phone: 0344 800 0550

Email: info@samh.org.uk

Visit: samh.org.uk/informationservice

Breathing Space

A confidential out of office hours telephone line for people over 16 experiencing low mood, anxiety or depression.

Phone: 0800 83 85 87

Visit: breathingspace.scot

Samaritans

24-hour helpline offering emotional support for anyone feeling down, distressed or struggling to cope.

Phone: 116 123

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Visit: www.samaritans.org

NHS 24

NHS24 is a 24-hour health service for Scotland.

Phone: 111

Visit: www.nhs24.scot

Childline

A free, private and confidential service for anyone under 19 in the UK.

Available: 24 hours, 7 days a week

Phone: 0800 1111

Visit: http://www.childline.org.uk

NSPCC Helpline

Provides 24/7 help and support from trained helpline counsellors to thousands of parents, professionals and families.

Available: 24/7

Phone: 0808 800 5000

Email: help@nspcc.org.uk

Visit: http://www.nspcc.org.uk