It’s important to talk about mental health
It’s Time to Talk about our mental health.
We all have it.
Just like physical health, we all have mental health. And just like physical health, putting on a brave face doesn’t help us support ourselves or one another.
By opening up and talking about our mental health, we take steps towards better mental health for everyone, including ourselves.
Talking aloud can help us understand what we’re feeling – the good and the challenging.
By being open about our mental health, we can help someone feel more comfortable opening up. This might inspire them to seek help if they need it.
And open and free conversations about mental health will help reduce the stigma of something that we all have.
Of course, there’s no right or wrong way to talk about mental health. But there are things you can do to feel more comfortable…
A comfortable conversation about Mental Health
For many, the very idea of talking about mental health can be daunting.
Taking small steps towards becoming more comfortable with these conversations is key.
Whether you’re sharing your own experiences or listening to someone else’s, the act of talking and listening about mental health can have profound effects.
Sharing how you feel
Opening up and sharing how we feel isn’t easy, but it is important to try.
When you feel ready, approaching the conversation like this might help get you started:
- Find a way to share how you feel that feels right for you: You could write a letter, send a text, or speak face-to-face. Whichever way you choose, it should feel most comfortable for you.
- Find a suitable time and place where you feel safe and won’t be interrupted.
- Practice what you want to say to help you feel less anxious and more confident.
- Be honest and open and speak from the heart, but only share as much as you’re comfortable to share.
- Suggest ways the person you’re talking to could help support you.
- Remember: How you feel is valid and authentic.
Supporting Someone Else
When someone opens up about their mental health, it’s not always easy to know what to do or say.
But that’s it – simply being there for someone can make a big difference.
When someone confides in you, here are some ways you can support them:
- Listen and ask questions: Show you care by asking questions and listening to their answers. This can provide them with a sense of validation and support.
- Use positive body language to encourage them: Nodding and maintaining eye contact, for example, can help make the person feel heard and understood.
- Don’t try and fix it – you most likely won’t. Just being there and listening to them is often enough.
- Avoid clichés and unhelpful advice – focus on providing them with a safe space to share.
- Be patient: Everyone’s journey with mental health is different – give them the time they need to open up.
While today – February 6th – is Time to Talk Day.
It’s time to talk about mental health every day.
- We can find support for ourselves.
- We can support one another.
- We can reduce the stigma.
- We can create a more understanding community.
Every conversation counts – big or small – and can make a real, tangible difference in someone’s life.
