Fearne Cotton and Stephen Fry among celebrities backing Time To Talk Day

FEARNE COTTON said being open about mental health “doesn’t need to be difficult or scary” as she backed a campaign to get people talking about their problems.

The presenter, who has been open about her own battle with depression, is taking part in Time To Talk Day on Thursday along with fellow celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Frankie Bridge and Harry Judd.

The day aims to bring the nation together to get talking and break the silence around psychological problems.

It comes as research commissioned by Time To Change – the organisation behind the campaign – revealed that many people are missing out on support from those around them, simply because they cannot find the “perfect” time and place to open up.

Cotton, 36, said: “Being open about our mental health is good for all of us, and it doesn’t need to be difficult or scary.

“This Time To Talk Day, start a conversation about mental health wherever you are – at work, at school, or at the top of a mountain.”

TV star Fry, 60, who has also struggled with mental illness, said: “Mental health problems can affect any of us, and they can be hard to talk about. Being open and ready to listen can make a big difference to someone’s life.

“This Time To Talk Day, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Have your conversation about mental health wherever you are… a library, a cinema? Nowhere is off limits.”

Time To Change director Sue Baker said: “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.”

Time To Change is led by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.