Conversations can be life-saving #timetotalk day
Communication, Culture, Wellness, Work life
Age, Class, Disability, Gender, Neurodiversity, Race & ethnicity, Religion, Sexuality, Socio-economic status, Sustainability
Quick & easy, Medium term, Longer term
Overview
At Skyrise, Coffee & Conversations is a key part of our culture, creating a safe, open space where people can talk about mental health without stigma or fear. To mark #TimetoTalk Day, we hosted a session called "Conversations Can Be Lifesaving," focusing on how talking, listening, and checking in on others can truly make a difference.
With suicide still the leading cause of death for men under 35 in the UK, and stigma preventing many from seeking support, we wanted to create a space where people felt comfortable discussing these challenges. We also recognised that many different life experiences—including perimenopause, menopause, bereavement, loneliness, and work-related stress—can impact mental health and increase feelings of isolation.
By fostering an environment where every voice is valued, and all struggles are acknowledged, we’re not just creating a more supportive workplace—we’re equipping our team with the skills and confidence to support others both inside and outside of work.
What did we set out to achieve?
Our aim was to reinforce that conversations about mental health can be life-changing and to ensure that everyone at Skyrise feels confident offering and receiving support.
We set out to:
- Encourage open, honest conversations about mental health and suicide prevention.
- Challenge stigma and misconceptions that stop people from reaching out.
- Highlight the power of active listening, helping people feel seen and heard.
- Discuss practical ways to check-in on colleagues, friends and family with confidence and care.
- Ensure Skyrise remains a workplace where mental health is prioritised and supported.
We also wanted to address why talking can feel difficult sometimes, whether that’s fear of judgment, cultural expectations or simply not knowing where to start and provide tools like conversation starters to help overcome these barriers.
The practical steps
To make this session as impactful and accessible as possible, we focused on awareness, shared experiences and practical approaches to help people feel more confident having life-saving conversations. We started with some stats, such as 74% of suicides in England and Wales being male deaths, to highlight why these discussions matter. From there, we explored why people often struggle to talk, looking at stigma, gender norms, fear of burdening others and difficulty expressing emotions.
Shared lived experiences showed how simply offering or receiving support had made a real difference. To make these conversations easier, we provided practical guidance on how to start a conversation, what to say (and what to avoid) and how to signpost to professional support—reinforcing that listening is just as powerful as talking.
We also provided ongoing resources, support lines and guides that can be accessed 24/7 in our Skyrise Culture Hub. By tackling difficult but necessary topics, this session empowered our team to talk, listen, and support one another both in and beyond the workplace.
What positive impact has this initiative had?
The impact of this session was immediate and deeply felt across the team:
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65% of employees attended this session, showing the importance of this conversation as attendance is optional.
- Team members reported feeling more confident checking in on others.
- Some team members shared their own struggles for the first time, proving that our culture of openness is working.
- Attendees noted a shift in how they listen, recognising that just being present without trying to ‘fix’ things is incredibly powerful.
Most importantly, this conversation didn’t just stop after the session, it carried on long after.
What did you learn that could help others?
This session reinforced that people want to have these conversations, they just don’t always know how to.
Key takeaways included that you don’t need to have all the answers, sometimes, just listening is enough. Many people worry about saying the wrong thing, but in reality, saying something is always better than saying nothing, as silence can feel isolating. We also saw how normalising mental health conversations at work helps break the stigma. If we can talk about it openly here, we can take those conversations into our wider lives. Most importantly, this session highlighted that workplaces can be a real support system. By making space for open and honest conversations, we’re strengthening connections within our team and building a workplace where these discussions can truly make a difference.
How will you make the benefit of this initiative or campaign endure?
We’re committed to embedding these conversations into our culture to ensure long-term change. Coffee & Conversations will continue as a regular initiative, covering important topics like suicide prevention, resilience and workplace stress. We’ll also keep updating and sharing resources in our online Culture Hub, ensuring guidance remains accessible and relevant for everyone. Beyond Skyrise, we’ll continue to share our learnings with other businesses, encouraging them to create similar initiatives. By keeping these discussions going, we’re ensuring that mental health support isn’t just reactive, it's proactive, ongoing and truly embedded in our culture.
We also provided ongoing resources, support lines and guides that can be accessed 24/7 in our Skyrise Culture Hub. By tackling difficult but necessary topics, this session empowered our team to talk, listen, and support one another both in and beyond the workplace.
