Three gay men will reveal how their sexuality has had an impact on their mental health.
Damian Friel and Davey Shields of MenTalk Health and Daniel Beeson of Gay Star News will chat live, with it streaming on GSN’s Facebook page.
The three guys will also answer your questions and give their own advice on coping with mental health.
Be sure to watch the Time To Talk discussion streamed live on GSN
Friel may be best known to readers for starring in our support series on being gay with Tourette’s syndrome.
You can learn more about how he copes with it, as well as ADHD, anxiety and depression, here.
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He co-hosts the podcast with Shields.
‘Talking saved my life.’
‘Talking saved my life. I couldn’t bring myself to tell anyone that I was suicidal,’ he told GSN.
‘After one incident though it became obvious to everyone that there was something serious going on. Thankfully, friends like Damian were there.
‘Friends stepped in and asked me what was going on. They asked me how I was and waited for me to answer honestly.
‘They helped me talk to my GP to get help, and helped me open up to those around me. Now, when I am at my worst, I know I can talk to them and ask for help. It has saved my life a few times now.
‘Ever since, Damian and I have been working hard at encouraging everyone to start talking. Even the smallest conversation can change someone’s life.’
‘I had a panic attack almost every single day of 2015.’
Beeson has written extensively on his anxiety disorder.
‘I had a panic attack almost every single day of 2015,’ he said.
‘Only when I chose to speak out, even though I was terrified of embarrassment, did things begin to feel better for me – because people were coming to me and saying they were hurting too.
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‘It’s so important not to play a part in keeping these issues quiet.
‘That’s why it’s time to change the game and take away the shame around mental health for many gay men – because it’s affecting all of our rights to contentment.’
Importance of Time To Talk Day
The discussion is part of Time to Talk Day.
Sue Baker OBE, Director of Time to Change, said: ‘Time to Talk Day is a chance for all of us to be more open about mental health – to talk, to listen, to change lives.
‘People still think there is no right time or place to talk about mental health – that it’s something that should be whispered about in quiet corners. We all need to work hard to change and remove the barriers to talking.
‘Conversations have the power to change lives, wherever they take place. So whether you’re at home, at work, in the cinema, or even in the car, Time to Talk Day is the perfect chance to be more open about mental health.’
There are lots of events taking place across England this Time to Talk Day to help tackle discrimination. Find out what’s going on near you, by visiting the website.
