Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter
Send news

News tags

mental health  physical activity  earthquake  vacancies  families  public health  children  funding  poverty  health determinants  social  Community development  planning  employment  healthy cities  volunteers  newsletter  youth  volunteering  nutrition  employment opportunity  housing  alcohol and drugs  maori  community engagement  rebuilding  wellbeing  disabilities  Lectures  counselling  Training  earthquake recovery  sustainability  event  community gardens  Community  seminar  Awards  stress  Community Groups  mens health  research  arts  smokefree  culture  men  exercise  migrants  community event  education  environment  resilience  human rights  health  medical  business  sport  conferences  survey  mental wellbeing  Courses  obesity  elderly  support group  environmental health  healthy food  health promotion  violence  pacific health  resources  rebuild  women  race relations  meeting  gardens  workshop  services  leadership  forum  water  disabled  repair  transport  prevention  pacific  dance  fundraising  asian health  sexual health  inequality  cancer  support  disasters  development  mindfulness  dementia  presentation  collaboration  health in all policies  data analysis  recovery  smoking  law  drugs and alcohol  technology  safety  cycling  Sleep  policy  parenting  media  hearing  walking  land  neighbours  social justice  qualification  resilient cities  information  community connection  consultation  oral health  bullying  depression  youth empowerment  young people  activities  non-profit  charity  harm  NURSES  addiction  disease  Communication  alcohol  symposium  submission  anxiety  accessibility  Relationships  eating  economics  Advocacy  eLearning  falls  parking  energy  efficiency  heating  insulation  advice  Eating Disorders  abuse  waste  Matariki  webinar  diabetes  workplace  Film  Climate Change  solutions  urban  management  economy  plan  restoration  Report  Vulnerability  welfare  parks  learning  awareness  emergencies  legislation  injury prevention  reading  Meeting Room  conservation  language  refugees  recreation  built environment  data  venue  urban design  Food  older people  finances  suicide  heritage  gender  recycling  breastfeeding  public  identity  Nursing  submissions  Rainbow  biodiversity  campaign  promotion  Gut Health  diversity  therapy  older adults  sexuality  computing  pollution  School Holidays  Arts Therapy  providers  gambling  Maori health  Cervical cancer  screening  trauma  autism  Governance  treaty of waitangi  care  mentoring  pets  relaxation  Professional Development  pornography  exhibition  history  discrimination  vaping  equity  lockdown  grief  rural  hygiene  participation  tourism  summer  intervention  warning  podcast  science  petition  swimming  roadworks  traffic  wildlife  beaches  pools  immunisation  vaccination  brain  preparation  open day  market  evaluation  noise  music  property  testing  crafts  CALD  cultural diversity  camping  creativity  child health  tamariki  climate action  Pasifika  refugee  migrant  community events  road safety  library  Hornby  skills  placemaking  regenerative communities  journey  reflection  regional council  councillors  water management  emergency management  retirement  stress management  Christmas  family  festival  alcohol harm  waterways  planting  health protection  legionnaire's disease  hepatitis  heatwaves  river beds  water safety  natural resources  fishing  gardening  workshops  stormwater  biosecurity  volunteer  plant and animal pest management  politics  faith  crime  drugs  pregnancy  native birds  Waimakariri  water quality  schools  early childhood  health professionals  heart disease  kura  school  ethical issues  rangatahi  Linwood  running  donations  whanau  financial pressures  online  health professional  flooding  conflict  peace  winter  agriculture  stroke  plastic 

How to start a conversation about mental health

Wednesday, July 2, 2025   Posted in: Resources and Information By: Administrator With tags: Communication, mental health, mental wellbeing, support

When you want to have a conversation about mental health, it can feel hard to know where to start. Remember that no special skills are required to talk about mental health - you just need to be empathetic and willing to listen.

Below are the Mental Health Foundation's top tips for starting the conversation.

Read a free guide on starting a conversation about mental health from the Mental Health Foundation. The guide also includes tips for opening up about your own mental health.

Check in with yourself first

  • Am I in the right headspace to have a conversation that may be upsetting?
  • Am I able to genuinely listen?
  • Can I give as much time as needed?
  • Am I the right person to have this conversation?

Choose an appropriate time and place to talk

You should try to have this conversation somewhere you both feel comfortable. Make sure you have a good amount of time available to talk, so the conversation isn’t rushed.

Ask directly and appropriately

You can start the conversation naturally. You might do this by asking:

  • “What’s been happening for you lately?”
  • “How’s life?”

Listen non-judgmentally and understand their perspective

The most important part of this conversation is to listen. If they get upset or angry, try to be calm and make sure they know you’re hearing them.

Reassure them

They’ve done something brave by opening up about their feelings. Reassure them that they've done the right thing, and that you’re here to support them. 

Discuss how you can support them

The person you’re concerned about may already know what support they need, or they may want your help to work it out. You could ask: “What can we change to make life easier?”

Encourage them to be open with other trusted people in their life

Supporting someone who is struggling with their mental health shouldn’t be all on one person. The more trusted people in their life that can offer help, the better.

The last two steps

  • Help them to access support, if they need it.
  • Clarify next steps before the conversation ends.

Check in with the person about whether they’ve got plans that day or will have company. Make sure that you know any actions you both need to do

 

Read a free guide on starting a conversation about mental health from the Mental Health Foundation.