We get it, times have changed. Where it was once unheard of to discuss your feelings or mental health issues with a friend, that is no longer the case. Nowadays, speaking of your emotional trials is actually encouraged.
It’s true. Having conversations about depression and mental health can be therapeutic, anxiety-reducing, and can help you feel better. Read on to learn some tips and tricks for starting these conversations and for making them less awkward.
How to Start a Conversation About Mental Health
First and foremost, you can’t begin to discuss mental health until you start the conversation, but there is a right and wrong way to do so. Follow these steps to ensure success when you decide you want to talk about your mental health.
1. Pick the Right Time
When you’re in a rush, driving, or distracted with another task is not the time to bring up feelings. And the same goes for the person you plan to speak with. Ensure you are both otherwise unoccupied and that they (and you) have time to speak without being interrupted or pulling attention from something else.
2. Choose the Right Place
It is best to choose a quiet place to talk with limited distractions, ensuring you are able to get the most understanding during your conversation. Some ideas include a bench in the park, at home on the couch with a cup of tea, or in a quiet café. It’s important to consider your (and the other persons) comfort when choosing a place. While some people are happy to talk in a café, others would prefer discussing somewhere more private, like their home.
3. Start Small
While you want to be 100% honest with the other person, remember, they are hearing this for the first time, so ease them into it. Saying something as simple as “I’ve been having a tough time lately, and I really need to tell someone about it” can go a long way to opening the conversation and helping you both prepare for the conversation ahead.
4. Don’t Play the Blame Game
As you talk, even if the other person is a huge part of your life, ensure you speak only of your feelings and don’t assume anything on their behalf. For example, starting sentences with “I feel,” and “I am” will go a lot further toward opening the floor than immediately spreading the blame.
5. Write it Down First
If you are someone who struggles with sharing their feelings, try to write them out in advance. This way, you can run through them and ensure you are honest, clear, and use I statements. This will also make it easier to talk when the time comes, as it will feel as if you’ve already gone through it once.
Who Should You Talk to About Mental Health?
We said it in the beginning, but the stigma against discussing mental health issues is fading. While it is still best to talk to a medical practitioner, we know that may not be possible for everyone; as such, feel free to talk to close friends, family members, or even your caregiver.
Although these people can’t do as much as a mental health practitioner, they can listen, empathize, and maybe help direct you to someone who can help you. All mental health issues are different, and sometimes even just a conversation and being heard may make you feel better.
How Should You Talk About Mental Health?
The most important thing to remember when talking to friends or family members about your mental health is to be honest. People can help you if you aren’t honest. Don’t sugarcoat things for them, and definitely don’t lie.
If you are headed to speak with a medical professional, it is also a good idea to write down your symptoms ahead of time. This will ensure you don’t miss anything and will make it easier to recall when they ask.
How to Help Others With Their Mental Health
Speaking about mental health has been a phenomenon like no other. The more people who open up about their struggles, the more people feel safe opening up in the future. And these results span all genders and ages.
So, don’t be shocked when someone you may have spoken to about your mental struggles previously, comes to you for help months later. If you find yourself in this situation, just remember the following:
1. Listen
You can’t help if you don’t listen. Let them speak fully before offering advice, don’t interrupt.
2. Ask Questions to Clarify
If you don’t understand something they’ve said (as these conversations can be emotional) ask for clarification.
3. Be Empathetic
Just because you have been able to work through your mental health issues doesn’t mean everyone is at the same spot. When you offer advice, offer some of the options that helped you, but ensure you don’t impose your will on the person.
4. Check-in Regularly
Once someone has confided in you about their poor mental health or depression, ensure you check in regularly to ensure they are getting help and getting better. If they don’t seem to be healing, ensure you know who to alert, especially if you think your friend may be a danger to themselves or others. In the US, the suicide hotline is 988.
5. Encourage Professional Help
Although some people are able to pull themselves out of depression and other mental health challenges, not all people are able to do so. Even if you were able to do so, this doesn’t mean your sister will do the same.
As such, no matter who you talk to or when, encourage them to seek help. Even if they don’t the first time, be sure to bring it up again. You can also offer them business cards, flyers, and anything else that can help them to know visually that they have help just a phone call away if they need it.
We can’t force anyone to seek professional help, but we hope that over time, your friend or family member at least knows it’s there.
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