What is Let's Talk?
And why do we need to talk?
Samantha Buss is a Surrey alumnus, now working as Vice-President Support at Surrey Students’ Union for her second term. Sam is passionate about supporting others and being open about increasing positive mental health and the difficulties individuals face. In this blog, Sam shares her thoughts on the importance of our Let’s Talk campaign at Surrey.
Hello, I’m Sam, your Vice President Support at the Students’ Union. Alongside my role here, I also work in mental health crisis support. I originally studied a BA in Modern Languages (French and Spanish) and went on to complete an MSc in Psychology (Conversion), both at Surrey, which has only strengthened my understanding of how key conversations about wellbeing can be.
Surrey Students' Union sabbatical officers 2025/26: Kade De Gannes, Samantha Buss, Matt Aikin, Amber Dobrzanski and Luana Vasconcelos
Surrey Students' Union sabbatical officers 2025/26: Kade De Gannes, Samantha Buss, Matt Aikin, Amber Dobrzanski and Luana Vasconcelos
This year, I am excited to help reintroduce Let’s Talk, which is a joint campaign between the University of Surrey and Surrey Students’ Union.
Why Let’s Talk matters
University can be an incredible time of growth, but it also brings substantial changes; moving away from home, adjusting to new academic expectations, building new friendships, and managing uncertainty. It’s completely normal to feel anxious, overwhelmed, or isolated at times.
When I first started at Surrey, I couldn’t have ever imagined talking to someone about what was going on in my mind. But over the years I’ve realised that I was not the only one going through confusing thoughts. I learnt that by opening up, it was like taking a weight off my shoulders, rather than judgement, which I had thought would come. Eventually, this has led me to work in support and help others.
This is really where Let’s Talk comes in. The campaign is about reminding all of us that:
- You are not alone in what you are feeling – everyone feels overwhelmed from time to time, some greater than others, but everyone will have their own unique experience that often we can all relate to.
- Talking about mental health in a non-judgemental and supportive way reduces stigma and helps us build stronger communities of support.
- Preventive support matters - even if you do not feel you need support right now, knowing what is available can make all the difference later when you face life’s challenges or when someone you care about is struggling.
As research has shown, preventive mental health strategies are essential in reducing the long-term burden of mental illness1 2. Having conversations early is part of that prevention, which can prevent burnout or developing mental health conditions.
The power of talking
Talking about mental health is powerful and brave. Studies show that open conversations can reduce stigma, improve understanding, and increase access to support.3
Some of the benefits of talking about mental health include:
- Reduced feelings of isolation and helping people feel less alone. Our thoughts can feel all-consuming but speaking out, having the support of others, all contribute to reduced feelings of isolation.4
- By normalising mental health struggles, it makes it easier to open up5 to those around you and take the first steps in accepting support and working on what you’re going through.
- Strengthened support networks, both among peers and within families. Having a good support system around you is so key in ensuring you have people to turn to when you are struggling6 – whether this is a colleague, a friend, a family member, a therapist, or even your neighbour!
- Encouraging people to seek help earlier is linked to better outcomes5 when it comes to managing symptoms of distress7.
Although evidence shows us the benefits of opening up and how it can make all the difference in improving your mental health and/or recovery, we acknowledge that talking is not as easy as it sounds. Whether or not you are opening up for support or you are the one offering support, part of what Let’s Talk aims to do is give you the tools, confidence, and encouragement to start these conversations.
Why I care about this campaign
As I mentioned earlier, I could have never imagined having the confidence to confide in a friend about what I was going through, never mind publicly speak and advocate about mental health. Writing my own Let’s Talk piece was frightening but the positive feedback I received and support from others made it all the worthwhile.
As a part of my roles, I’ve been involved in the National Confidential Inquiry in Student Suicides in Higher Education (NCISH), Student Minds, various working groups, such as safeguarding and harassment, writing policies, as well as undergoing various conferences and training to better assist my role in supporting others.
Alongside this, I’ve been involved in disability advocacy, leading me to go to parliament, and running events like the “Dump the Scales” protest, and recently contributed to a paper on the importance of preventative support, training, and funding to improve eating disorder treatment outcomes for parliament.
Dump The Scales march, London
Dump The Scales march, London
All of my own lived experience and professional roles have shown me the real difference that it makes when people feel heard and understood. I firsthand know the pain of being misunderstood and the detrimental impacts this can have on your emotional wellbeing.
This is why Let’s Talk is such an important campaign and matters so much to me. Every conversation had, no matter how big or small, helps reduce the stigma associated with struggling, contributes to a sense of connection, and reduces the barriers for someone else to reach out for support.
Whether you are struggling now, supporting a friend, or just want to be prepared for the future, Let’s Talk is a perfect space to start. We strive to open up conversations in the hope of creating space for honesty, empathy, and real change.
If you would like to contact me directly about getting involved or would like a space to talk and know more where to seek support, please do not hesitate to email me.
Let's keep talking - because every conversation matters and we want to support our vibrant Surrey community is anyway possible.
Samantha Buss (she/her)
VP Support 2024-2026
Support is available
Need urgent support?
In an emergency, call Campus Safety on 01483 683333 if you or someone you know needs immediate help on campus. If you are off campus call 999 for the emergency services.
University support services
There are a range of support options available at Surrey, from both the University and Surrey Students' Union.
References
- Promoting Mental Health and Preventing Mental Disorders: Adopting a Proactive Health Approach - PMC
- Mental health
- Understanding and Addressing Mental Health Stigma Across Cultures for Improving Psychiatric Care: A Narrative Review - PMC
- Social connection linked to improved health and reduced risk of early death
- Reducing the stigma of mental illness - PMC
- Frontiers | Social support and mental health: the mediating role of perceived stress
- Early intervention in youth mental health: progress and future directions - PMC
- Interventions to increase help-seeking for mental health care in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review - PMC
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