
Mental Wellbeing
05 Dec 24
Today, ITV’s award-winning Loose Women has announced the show's first ever 25-hour Talkathon, starting on Thursday 5th December 2024, in support of ITV and STV's Britain Get Talking campaign.
In the UK we’re facing a mental health crisis, with an estimated one in four people experiencing a mental health problem every year[1] and the number needing support is on the rise - which is why it's more important than ever that we get people talking.
The Britain Get Talking initiative has sparked over 200 million conversations so far and in the year Loose Women marks 25 years on screens, the show is set to continue the groundbreaking work of the campaign as the panellists use the positive power of conversation to tackle taboos around mental health and raise awareness, as well as vital funds, for Mind, YoungMinds and Scottish Action for Mental Health helplines and services.
In a new promo that aired during today’s show, some of the Loose Women panellists taking part can be heard telling viewers: “As you know, on Loose Women, we love to talk… Now, in support of ITV’s Britain Get Talking campaign, we’re going to do what we do best… Raising awareness, and vital funds, for support helplines and those in need. We won't shut up about it!”
Loose Women’s epic challenge comes as worrying new research has found that more than one in three Brits avoid talking to their friends or families if they’re struggling with their mental health, through fear of worrying them or being a burden[2] . Nearly one in three adults have also purposely avoided speaking about difficult emotions that they've experienced[3] .
The free helplines run by the three Britain Get Talking charities can be a lifeline for those struggling with their mental health or anyone worried about a loved one, helping to make sure that everyone has someone to turn to for support when they need it. The need for this is stark.
For many people who are struggling in silence, the decision to call a helpline can be the turning point they need. ITV and STV’s Britain Get Talking charities want to answer every single person’s call for help, but they’re facing more pressure than ever.
Ahead of the Talkathon, Loose Women editor Sally Shelford said: “Half of UK adults find talking or spending time with friends or family lifts their mood[4] but the statistics show that so many of us still find it difficult to open up if we’re struggling. We always say on the show that the viewers are the fifth Loose Woman and we aim to do as much as we can to help raise awareness of the issues that affect them most. Throughout the Talkathon, we’re also going to need their help too, keeping us company over the 25 hours, pledging their support for our charities and joining us as we continue important conversations about mental health… Plus, as well as special guests dropping by, viewers can expect our usual laughs and classic Loose Women topics too!”
Sarah Hunt, Head of Strategy & Communications, Social Purpose at ITV, said: “Since 2019, ITV and STV’s Britain Get Talking has been encouraging the nation to connect with each other to proactively support their mental wellbeing. Loose Women have been showing us how it's done for 25 years! There's nothing more fitting than bringing these two brands together to raise awareness of the power of talking for our mental wellbeing and support our Britain Get Talking charity helplines, which make sure those struggling with their mental health, or worried about a loved one, have somewhere to turn when they need it most.”
Alongside a host of classic Loose Women chat, the panel will also be joined by some very special showbiz and expert guests throughout.
Loose Women’s history-making Talkathon will be streamed live on ITVX and STV Player, starting from 12.30pm on Thursday 5th December on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
Join the conversation on Instagram, Facebook and X at @loosewomen and on TikTok at @loosewomenofficial
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Notes to Editors:
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[1] Mind, Mental health facts and statistics
YouGov Poll commissioned by Loose Women. Sample of 1,035 UK adults in October 2024:
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[2] More than 1 in 3 (36%) UK adults don’t like talking about their mental health with friends/family as they don’t want to worry them or be a burden
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[3] Nearly one in three (30%) UK adults have purposefully avoided speaking about difficult emotions they’ve experienced
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[4] Half (50%) of UK adults say talking or spending time with friends or family lifts their mood
About ITV and STV’s Britain Get Talking
Britain Get Talking originally launched in October 2019 and forms part of ITV’s wider social purpose to improve the nation’s mental wellbeing. The initiative has sparked over 200 million conversations so far and is the UK’s most well-known mental health campaign.
About Loose Women
Loose Women is ITV1's longest-running panel show after launching in 1999. The daily weekday show features discussion around the day's most topical issues, from current affairs to the latest showbiz news, as well as exclusive celebrity guest interviews. With the panel’s own experiences at the heart, Loose Women’s award-winning campaigns lead the conversation on the issues affecting our viewers today, including Body Stories: Celebrating Every Body campaign and ‘Loose Men’ specials - which most recently won a Royal Television Society 2023 Award - plus, Facing It Together and Don’t Skip Your Screening campaigns. Loose Women is the most-watched weekday lunchtime slot on a commercial channel.
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