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The reserves are back in action on Monday, travelling to take on Queen of the South in the SPFL Reserve League.

Kick-off at Palmerston Park is at 2pm.

For many people, talking about their mental health is much easier said than done, despite research showing that simply opening up to others can be hugely beneficial to our wellbeing.

So today, for Time to Talk Day, we’ve teamed up with our Official Health and Wellbeing Partner, Paycare, to understand how we can be both better at speaking up, and better at listening.

“There are many reasons why people don’t speak about their mental health,” Kerry Mitchell, Wellbeing Manager at Paycare and an experienced Mental Health Trainer, explains. “Although the stigma is continuing to be pushed out of society, it still very much lingers.

“The fear of the response, the pressure of burdening others, the feeling of shame or embarrassment, or it simply not being the ‘right’ time to talk can all contribute to withholding feelings and emotions.

“And while they may seem like valid reasons to someone suffering from a mental health issue, the likelihood is that those around you — whether it be friends, family, colleagues, or a third party — don’t care one bit about any of those and would much rather that person feels comfortable enough to open up in times of difficulty.

“As an experienced mental health first aid trainer for both adults and children, and having my own personal experiences with mental health, I know first-hand how simply talking can be so effective for all involved.”

So, on this Time to Talk day, here are five tips to becoming more comfortable at approaching mental health.

Be warm yet direct

Simply checking in with someone to see how they’re feeling can go a long way. Set some time aside, go somewhere a little more private, and encourage them to open up about how they’re feeling,

If they’re not comfortable talking with you though, ask if they’ve got a close friend they can talk to, suggest visiting the doctor, or if the problem is quite serious, pass on the number of the Samaritans. You could also ask the person if it’ll be okay for you to check in again in a few days’ time to see how they’re getting on.

Ask twice

If a friend or someone you know is quieter than normal, or not behaving as you’ve come to expect, stop and take just five minutes to see if they’re okay. Some people will pretend to be okay but really are crumbling inside.

A common response is ‘I’m fine’, but research suggests that over three quarters of us would tell friends, family and work colleagues that they are fine when they’re not. Time to Change are asking everyone to ask twice if they think someone may be experiencing a mental health problem.

Direct to other support

Signposting to other services both in and out of the workplace can promote better mental health. Some people might want to access support privately with a confidential third party, such as an Employee Wellbeing Service, which according to Anum (2018) supported almost 75% of employees with mental health problems.

Having reminders about available signposting services are vital too and a first line of defence for supporting staff when they need it. This can include anything from posters, leaflets, handouts and numbers on company intranets, break-out rooms and the canteen.

Make some time for a podcast

The podcast ‘Men and Mental Health’ by the Mental Health Foundation is a series hosted by four men who talk openly about mental health. It’s suitable for any gender and offers some brilliant advice specifically about normalising mental health discussions for men.

Three in four suicides are male and 1 in 4 men suffer from stress, so it’s key that we all look out for the men in our lives.

Be creative

Emotional wellbeing is key for young people to learn and thrive, with research suggesting that one in 10 children and young people have a mental health condition. Being creative together can encourage children and young people to start talking about what’s going on in their everyday lives, especially when they are feeling a bit blue.

Using creativity, even if it’s sitting with a colouring book, can help to create an environment which encourages people to be open, be themselves, be at ease sharing how they’re feeling, and talk if something is troubling them. Feeling connected can create safety, and we all have the innate need to feel safe.

If you are personally experiencing any issues, or you suspect someone you know is struggling, please choose someone you trust to confide in.

No one will judge you or think differently about you, and your chosen individual or organisation will have the time to listen and help.

If you don’t feel comfortable talking to someone you know, please use one of the helplines and talk to someone confidentially:

Samaritans

Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)
Website: www.samaritans.org.uk

CALM

CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35.
Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)
Website: www.thecalmzone.net

Men’s Health Forum

24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.
Website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk

Mental Health Foundation

Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Mind

Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.
Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)
Website: www.mind.org.uk

SANE

Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers.
SANEline: 0300 304 7000 (daily, 4.30pm to 10.30pm)
Textcare: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it most: www.sane.org.uk/textcare

St Mirren lie in wait in the fifth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup on Saturday.

Here’s a look at our opponents.

The story so far

St Mirren came through their fourth round tie at home to Broxburn Athletic after going in 0-0 at half-time, with Jon Obika scoring a double in a 3-0 victory.

Form guide

Unbeaten in four of their five matches since coming back from the winter break, Jim Goodwin’s side have one win, three draws and a 1-0 loss at Rangers on their record.

Three to watch

Vaclav Hladky

Retaining the services of Vaclav Hladky for the remainder of the season may be a pivotal moment in St Mirren’s battle to remain in the top-flight.

The Czech keeper has been in phenomenal form throughout the campaign and Wednesday night’s meeting with Hamilton was no different as he denied Marios Ogkmpoe with a quite remarkable stop that proved to be vital in earning Saints a share of the spoils.

Out of contract in the summer, Hladky is certain to have a host of potential suitors, though has already insisted his focus is on St Mirren and to enjoy a successful end to their league and cup campaigns.

Conor McCarthy

Irish defender Conor McCarthy has enjoyed a solid start to life at St Mirren after arriving from Cork City last month.

The 21-year-old has only sampled defeat in one of his five outings for Saints – a 1-0 loss to Rangers at Ibrox.

Earlier this season he turned out for Cork in the Europa League, scoring against FC Progrès Niederkorn and he opened his goal account for the Buddies when he headed them ahead in last Saturday’s fixture against Hibs at Easter Road.

Ilkay Durmus

Ilkay Durmus’ equaliser in Wednesday’s 1-1 stalemate with Hamilton raised the midfielder, who got on the scoresheet for the third time this season to the club’s second top-scorer.

With Saints the lowest scorers in the Premiership, they will need to show a greater spark in front of goal and Durmus has shown a knack for coming up with some crucial goals – netting the winner in fixtures against Aberdeen and Kilmarnock.

Durmus’ direct wing play and electric pace will pose a real challenge for the ‘Well backline, capped by Turkey up to U20s level, he started off as a youth player at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and VfB Stuttgart before moving to Turkey to sign for Gençlerbirligi in 2012.

Ticket information

Away end tickets are sold out for this match.

Book a bus to the stadium

We’ve still got limited space left on one of our supporters’ buses.

Tickets are sold out for the match but it’s not too late to secure your transport directly from our Cooper Bar direct to the stadium.

To book, buy your bus ticket online right now or call 01698 333333.

Can’t make it? Listen live

We’ve got live audio commentary of the match for just £5.99 a month.

To subscribe and get all Motherwell home matches – and the majority of away games – head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk now and sign up.

Join us before the match

The Cooper Bar is open from 12pm for food and drink ahead of travelling to the match.

William Hill Scottish Cup action lies in wait next, as Motherwell travel to take on St Mirren.

Kick-off at St Mirren Park is at 3pm.

Tale of the tape

St Mirren are yet to win in their four league matches since returning from the winter break, but are unbeaten in their last three matches courtesy of three draws.

A 0-0 home result with Aberdeen was followed by a 2-2 draw at Hibernian last weekend, before the 1-1 midweek tie at home to Hamilton Academical.

Their last win came in the William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round, as Broxburn Athletic were despatched 3-0 at home.

Head to head

Motherwell have won both encounters between the two sides so far this season.

A 2-0 home win in October, in which James Scott and Christopher Long netted, was followed by a convincing 3-0 away win in early December.

Scott netted a double that evening, with Allan Campbell also on target.

Ticket information

Away end tickets are sold out for this match.

Purchased tickets must be collected from Fir Park before 4pm on Friday before the match. Alternatively, collect from the main ticket window at St Mirren Park on the day of the game.

Book a bus to the stadium

We’ve still got limited space left on one of our supporters’ buses.

Tickets are sold out for the match but it’s not too late to secure your transport directly from our Cooper Bar direct to the stadium.

To book, buy your bus ticket online right now or call 01698 333333.

Scottish FA guidelines on unacceptable conduct

We want everyone to enjoy the match safely. Please do not bring in or set off any pyrotechnic devices inside the stadium.

Doing so not only risks your own safety and that of other spectators, it also runs the risk of punishment against the club. particularly after the previous round at Dundee where two devices were set off and were referenced in the delegate’s report to the Scottish FA.

Can’t make it? Listen live

We’ve got live audio commentary of the match for just £5.99 a month.

To subscribe and get all Motherwell home matches – and the majority of away games – head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk now and sign up.

Join us before the match

The Cooper Bar is open from 12pm for food and drink ahead of travelling to the match.

Odsonne Edouard scores a double as the league leaders’ second-half onslaught secures victory over Motherwell.

“If you don’t take your chances, you get punished. But we’ll continue to try and improve.”

Stephen Robinson reacts to Motherwell’s loss to Celtic.

A second half onslaught from Celtic saw Motherwell crash to their heaviest defeat of the season.

However, like the first encounter in August the scoreline didn’t reflect fairly on ‘Well’s contribution to an exciting game.

The Fir Park men were made to pay for Celtic’s clinical finishing in front of goal as a double from Odsonne Edouard at either end of the 90 minutes, and a second half double from Leigh Griffiths and Callum McGregor fully punished the home side.

Stephen Robinson will be envious of Celtic’s killer instinct as his side failed to convert the bulk of chances they created especially in the first half.

In the end, though, despite a vastly improved performance from the game at Livingston, and a lot of the ball in and around the visitor’s penalty area, ‘Well for the third consecutive league game drew a blank in front of goal.

After Saturday’s poor showing at Livingston, Stephen Robinson could have made any number of changes to his starting team.

However, the ‘Well boss made only two – with Liam Grimshaw swapping places with Richard Tait and Rolando Aarons making his debut on the right side of Christopher Long.

The Newcastle United loanee appeared confident in the early stages and after six minutes he chested down Liam Polworth’s long pass before driving the ball low, forcing Fraser Forster to make a comfortable save.

A minute later, Aarons was again involved at the edge of the Celtic box, setting up for Long for a shot at goal. When the ball was deflected it fell for Jermaine Hylton 12 yards from goal but he pulled his drive wide of target.

It was a positive start for the home side but in their first threat on the home goal two minutes later the Parkhead side were ruthless.

Callum McGregor was given too much freedom to advance towards the Fir Park box before he played the ball to Edouard. After his first attempt was blocked the French striker calmly steered his second effort beyond Mark Gillespie to put the league leaders ahead.

Motherwell immediately responded as Long nipped inside Kristoffer Ajer before slipping the ball back to Allan Campbell but from 15 yards he screwed his shot across Fraser’s goal and beyond the ‘keeper’s right hand post.

The Steelmen looked undaunted by the loss of the early goal and confident in possession they pushed forward in numbers.

Midway through the half Polworth carried the ball deep into the Celtic half but with options on either side the midfielder elected to shoot from 25 yards only to watch his effort drift well wide of goal.

The best chance came ‘Well’s way in 28th minute. Jake Carroll’s incisive pass sent Long scurrying to the byeline. His cut back had Campbell and Aarons waiting at the edge of the six yard area but the latter’s high boot ended the goal threat.

Then just beyond the half hour mark the home side carved out another opening. Good build up on the left ended with ball at Hylton’s feet and his quick turn and low drive forced Forster to dive low to his right to smother the shot.

Two minutes from the interval only Forster’s superb reactions denied ‘Well an equaliser their first half performance merited. Hylton’s tricky footwork in the box ended with the ball being deflected to the unmarked Aarons and he looked to have powered his angle drive into the net until the Celtic ‘keeper’s arm deflected the ball over the bar.

Motherwell were still in a positive frame of mind at the start of the second half – even leaving Hylton and Aarons upfield as they defended a Celtic free kick.

Five minutes after the restart, though, the Steelmen fell two behind to another simple goal.

McGregor’s long run was matched by Liam Donnelly but from the byeline the Celtic midfielder found space to pick out the unmarked Griffiths. Eight yards from the middle of the goal the Scotland striker took a touch before calmly poking the ball into the corner of the net to make it 2-0.

After an impressive but tiring 57 minutes Aarons made way for Sherwin Seedorf. And within a minute Hylton had set him up for this first touch but his trundler from 18 yards was easily smothered by Forster.

At the other end Celtic came closer to a third goal when Edouard’s cross picked out Griffith’s but his header rebounded from the face of the crossbar.
Gillespie was then asked to make his first real saves of the game. Firstly, firmly holding onto Greg Taylor’s powerful drive then bravely diving at Edouard’s feet to dispossess the striker.

With 20 minutes remaining and desperately needing a goal to set up a stirring finish Robinson sent on attack minded Ross MacIver and Christy Manzinga.

But before they could make any impact Neil Lennon’s men had fired in a third goal to wrap up the points.

James Forrest made ground on the right before finding McGregor just inside the box and his stunning half volley high into the net gave Gillespie no chance.

Ten minutes from time Edouard brilliantly curled a free kick around the defensive wall and past a helpless Gillespie to make it 4-0.

Christopher Long has been named as the Tullibardine Motherwell FC player of the month for January.

The striker netted three of Motherwell’s four goals across three matches in the month, netting a hat-trick against Dundee in the William Hill Scottish Cup.

He was the runaway leader in our poll, mainly for his goalscoring exploits to put the Steelmen into the fifth round of the competition.