Mental Health Awareness Week: How to talk to someone about your mental health

If you find it hard to talk about your mental health, you’re definitely not alone. 64% of people put on a brave face to avoid talking about how they’re feeling. Being vulnerable isn’t easy, even with your nearest and dearest. You might worry about being judged or that people will look at you differently if you open up about what’s really going on.  

But here’s the thing: everyone struggles with their mental health from time to time. It’s normal to have ups and downs, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. If anything, talking about these things is actually really brave, and it shows others that it’s okay to speak up too.  

We know that there’s a good feeling that comes from getting something off your chest. Talking about your thoughts and feelings can help you to make sense of them, and getting another person’s perspective can be really helpful.

This year, Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 12th to 18th May. The theme focuses on building communities that support individuals living with mental illness, encouraging open conversations about our feelings, especially during challenging times. So, if you’ve been thinking about opening up to someone, but you’re not sure how to start the conversation, we’ve got a few tips that can help.

• Choose your communication method

Would you be more comfortable talking face-to-face, having a phone call, texting or even writing a letter? There’s no right or wrong, it’s whatever works best for you.

• Choose a good time and place

Pick a time where you’re both likely to be free so that you can talk without being interrupted, for instance after work or school. Have the conversation somewhere you feel comfortable; this can make opening up feel easier.

• Plan what you want to say

Being prepared can ease your nerves and help you to remember the important stuff. Think about how to start the conversation, maybe with something like “I’m finding things really difficult right now”. It can also help to know what you want from this chat; a listening ear, some advice, or a different kind of support.

• Be as open as you can

If you’re someone who struggles to open up, you might be tempted to downplay your feelings, or hold things back. Being vulnerable can be uncomfortable, but the more that you tell the person, the more that they’ll be able to understand and support you.

• Try not to expect too much

Not everyone is comfortable talking about mental health and there’s a chance that the person you confide in might not know how to respond or say the wrong thing. This can be really disappointing, but they might just need some time to process what you’ve told them. If you can, give it some space then come back to the conversation later.

What if I can’t speak to my friends and family?

Sometimes, talking to the people in your life isn’t an option, but there are other ways that you can get support. The mental health charity, Mind, runs peer support groups where people with similar experiences can support each other. There’s a mix of online and in-person options.  

If you need to talk to someone right now, you can call Samaritans on 116 123. Samaritans’ helpline is open 24 hours a day, 365 a year, so there will always be someone to speak to.

Getting professional help

While talking to your friends and family can be really helpful, if you’re struggling to manage your mental health, it’s a good idea to speak to a professional too.  

At ieso, we offer cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which can be used to treat many mental health problems, like anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  

CBT helps you to manage your mental health by teaching you to recognise and challenge unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. Our service is completely online, so you and a therapist can type back and forth via our online portal, from the comfort of your own home. Find out how to get started.