How to start a conversation about mental health
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.